Fox netsuke

• You can view many of the netsuke in our collection if you use the collections search above. Alternatively follow this netsuke search link

The netsuke on this page are carved from wood and then painted.

The fox is said to be a mythical creature that belongs to a group of animals that are able to transform themselves into human figures.

The fox is often shown dressed as a priest or a woman.

In Japanese folklore it is said that at the age of 50, a fox can transform itself into a human being.

At the age of 100 it is believed a fox can transform itself into a beautiful girl.

On reaching the age of 1 thousand years, the fox is believed to grow nine tails and become a divine god.

The fox is also a symbol of the Shinto rice-god, Inari.