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狐

On'yomi
コ
KO
Kun'yomi
きつね
kitsune

fox

Details

Strokes8
Frequency#2400
Radical犬dog(4)

Description

Fox - the kitsune of folklore, messenger of Inari and shapeshifter, as likely to trick you as to help you.

Stroke Order

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Strokes8

Cultural Context

Etymology

The animal radical with a phonetic element, for the fox.

Symbolism

Messenger of the rice deity Inari. A double-edged figure that deceives people and brings good harvests alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 狐 mean in Japanese?

狐 means fox. Fox - the kitsune of folklore, messenger of Inari and shapeshifter, as likely to trick you as to help you.

How do you read 狐?

On'yomi: コ (KO). Kun'yomi: きつね (kitsune).

How many strokes does 狐 have?

狐 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 犬 (dog).

Is 狐 a good kanji for a tattoo?

狐 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means fox. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

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