Kitsune or 狐, キツネ a Japanese trickster, fox spirit. According to Japanese folklore it is a smart fox that shapeshifts into a person that may cause chaos. They are described as a species of Yōkai, or spirit, kitsune are not ghosts, or unlike regular foxes. Kitsune have supernatural powers and are very strategic in their endeavors.

There are two common types of kitsune: The Zenko (善狐, means good foxes) are benevolent, celestial foxes associated with Inari; they are sometimes simply called Inari foxes.

On the other paw, the Yako (野狐, means field foxes, also called nogitsune) they tend to be mischievous or even malevolent.

According to Japanese folklore traditions there are other types of Kitsune. One example is, the Ninko which is an invisible fox spirit that people can notice only after it possesses them.

Source:

Hall, Jamie (2003). Half Human, Half Animal: Tales of Werewolves and Related…