Thus, the fox spirit has become associated with either being benevolent or malicious in its use of powers. Because the fox is said to have supernatural powers, the fox is also said to hold the ability to either ward off or allow demonic and evil influences on Inari and thus on the harvest of rice (rice also being associated with fertility in Japan). In Shinto legends, the foxes serve as sorts of messengers or familiars of the God Inari, who is the god of rice said to protect the rice harvest and a god said to watch over the prosperity of farmers and merchants. While the K itsune is associated with sharper intelligence and either a dignified or malicious intent behind its usual trickery, especially because of its association with the Shinto god Inari, T anuki are often described as unclever and humorous in its trickery. In many legends, the Tanuki and the Kitsune change shape into a human to commit mischievous acts against humans simply because they enjoy tricking humans in any way they can. According to Japanese legends, these are the only two animals that naturally occur with magical powers. Among these animals, the most famous are the trickster animal spirits of the K itsune (fox) and the T anuki (Japanese raccoon dog). These creatures are considered to be a type of y ō kai ( referred to in an earlier Kokoro Insights) called Henge, or shapeshifters.
In Japanese folklore, there are certain animals that possess supernatural or spiritual powers that are believed to influence the affairs of humans.