俺が小学生の時、秋田の婆ちゃん家に行ってた時の体験なんだけど、お隣の家の女の人が、キツネに憑かれたって騒ぎになったことがあった【再】
A fascinating childhood memory from an internet user is trending: During a summer break at his grandma's house in Akita, the next-door neighbor suddenly caused a huge stir, claiming she was "possessed by a fox."
This unique firsthand account explores a bygone era's folk beliefs and the real reactions of people surrounding such incidents, drawing much online attention and discussion from various angles.
Modern users wonder if it was a common occurrence back then or perhaps an undiagnosed mental illness, highlighting the enduring interest in Japan's regional folklore.
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Fox Possession (Kitsunetsuki)
In Japanese folk belief, Kitsunetsuki refers to the phenomenon where a fox spirit possesses a person, leading to mental and physical abnormalities. Those believed to be possessed might exhibit irrational behavior, an abnormal craving for specific foods, or make animal-like sounds. In some regions, certain families, known as "Kitsunemochi," were thought to have generations of foxes under their control, which could then possess others. This brought wealth but also created a complex relationship of discrimination and awe within the community.
From the Edo period onward, especially in rural areas, Kitsunetsuki was seen as a cause of illness or misfortune, sometimes leading to ostracism (murahachibu) or vigilantism. For instance, economic disparities or interpersonal conflicts could be veiled accusations, with certain individuals being labeled as fox-possessed and isolated. In an era when medical knowledge was underdeveloped, mental illnesses, neuroses, or even hallucinations caused by malnutrition might have been misinterpreted as Kitsunetsuki. Even today, the belief in Kitsunetsuki persists among some elderly people in rural areas, making it a subject of folkloric interest. The experience shared in this article is a vivid testimony to a time when this fox possession belief was deeply embedded in daily life.
Possession Beliefs (Tsukimono Shinko)
Tsukimono Shinko is a general term for Japanese folk beliefs that involve the spirits of specific animals (such as foxes, dog gods, or snakes) possessing humans and controlling their actions and destiny. Kitsunetsuki (fox possession) is a prime example, but Inugamitsuki (dog god possession) and Hebitsuki (snake possession) are also well-known. These "tsukimono" (possessing spirits) were often believed to be passed down through specific family lines, bringing prosperity to the family while simultaneously exposing them to a mix of reverence and discriminatory views from their community.
The background of Tsukimono Shinko lies in people's psychological need to attribute unexplained misfortunes like illness, disaster, or poor harvests to supernatural forces. Furthermore, societal dissatisfactions and conflicts often manifested as accusations of possession, serving as pretexts to blame specific individuals or groups. For example, if a mysterious illness spread or harvests drastically declined in a village, a particular family's "tsukimono" might be named as the cause, making them a scapegoat to alleviate the community's anxiety. These beliefs played a significant role in maintaining social order, controlling communal behavior, and forming structures of discrimination. The event described in this article can be understood not just as a personal experience but as a reflection of the real impact of Tsukimono Shinko on the local community of that era.
Folk Beliefs in Local Communities
In local communities across Japan, various folk beliefs, such as nature worship, ancestor worship, and possession beliefs, have been closely intertwined with people's lives since ancient times. Especially in eras when medicine and science were undeveloped, people sought to find meaning and mental stability through these beliefs when faced with inexplicable events like illness, disasters, poor harvests, or mental distress. These beliefs served not only as individual spiritual support but also profoundly influenced community order and inter-member relationships.
For instance, specific regions harbored strong traditions concerning local guardian deities or entities believed to bring misfortune (e.g., tsukimono), which often dictated residents' conduct and social interactions. Village festivals and annual events were also deeply rooted in these beliefs, playing a role in fostering community solidarity. While many folk beliefs have faded since the modern era due to scientific advancement and urbanization, incidents like the "kitsunetsuki" commotion described in this article are valuable testimonies to a time when such beliefs were still deeply embedded in people's lives and actively influenced social phenomena. Natural regions like Akita, in particular, tended to retain these ancient beliefs more readily, offering us insights into the diversity of Japanese regional culture that is gradually being lost.