Kitsune

Kitsune ( 狐 ) is the Japanese word for 'fox'. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — others portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.

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Third photo from the Le Petit Prince project, which you can read about more here: [link] I won't be posting most of the pictures from this series online, but my class is having an exhibit at The Podium from March 24 to 28, 2008. There'll be a gallery showcasing all of our works, and I'll put up some prints as well as my whole book on display. The opening is on the 24th, at 6PM. _{If you see someone wandering around in black semi-formal clothes and a white tie, with spiky blond hair - that'll be me.}

This is my take on the Fox, who had always been my favorite character in The Little Prince. Better view of the clothes here: [link] Back then I had intended for it to partly represent the Kyuubi - which is, in a sense, also a fox spirit.

It took me a while to decide on how to portray the character without having to put on a pair of furry ears. Searching for inspiration, I picked up my copy of Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano, and it reminded me of the role of kitsune as guiding spirits in Japanese folklore. I thought it would fit well with the character of the fox, and how it was from him that the little prince learned life's greatest lesson.

"Goodbye," said the fox. "And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

myself as the Fox / costume design / mask head ornament construction (from scratch)
photography by Kat
fox mask design

_{Le Petit Prince:}
The Little Prince
The Geographer
Kitsune
Taming of the Fox
The Garden of Roses

This image is not for use without my permission. Thank you.