Kanji 妖 attractive, bewitching, calamity 怪 suspicious, mystery, apparition Related words 妖よう 怪かい 妖怪 is a general term for supernatural monsters and spirits, while 狐狸妖怪 specifically emphasizes fox and raccoon dog tricksters.
狐きつね 狐 refers to a fox, often associated with shape-shifting and trickery in folklore, but 狐狸妖怪 is a broader term for such trickster beings.
Etymology A yojijukugo combining 狐狸 (foxes and raccoon dogs, both known as tricksters in Japanese folklore) and 妖怪 (supernatural beings). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with deceptive spirits.
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