Mood Board: Kitsune

Japanese folklore contains a wealth of monsters and supernatural creatures known broadly as the yokai. The kitsune- the Japanese word for fox- is a type of shapeshifting fox known for being tricksters that possess paranormal abilities. These kitsune tales have grown into a vast array of vividly imaginative representations of a single being. True to the common saying 'sly as a fox,' kitsunes are frequently characterized as mischievous trickster characters that lead travelers astray, trick people out of their belongings, or nudge them into humiliating situations. As a kitsune gets older and more powerful they have the ability to shapeshift into a human. Sometimes for malevolent reasons, but frequently just to fit into the human world. Kitsunes especially like to shapeshift into beautiful women. One anecdote from medieval Japan was that any woman encountered alone, especially at night, could be one of these shapeshifting tricksters.

Interestingly enough, there is a very different set of beliefs surrounding the kitsune in which they act as messengers of the Shinto deity Inari. As many as a third of all Shinto shrines in Japan are dedicated to Inari and frequently contain statues of foxes.

The folklore and spiritual beliefs surrounding the kitsune are incredibly diverse and representative of how deeply entwined the fox is within Japanese culture.

Kitsune is a bright and fresh blend of Japanese pear and ginseng.

Japanese Pear: With their greenish-bronze color, slightly rough skin and white inner flesh, the Japanese pear is a beautiful thing to behold. The fruit is crisp and sweet with a subtle and refined aroma. An old Japanese tradition is to plant pear trees near a home's front gate or a corner of the property to ward off evil. Due to their price and status as a fine fruit they are often served to guests or given as gifts as a sign of respect. 

Ginseng: We've blended in another ingredient from the Far East, red ginseng. Widely used in traditional medicine, ginseng is a potent antioxidant and mood booster. It adds a slightly woody and spicy top note to the pleasingly sweet aroma of juicy pear. 

The fragrance of Kitsune is inspired by the smells and stories of old Japan, its immense catalog of folklore creatures, and of course, the most fabulously sly shapeshifting fox, the kitsune.