Kitsune Wanders the Jemez Mountains with the Ghost Elk

Shadow Puppet Kitsune Fox

In Japanese folklore, Kitsune or foxes are intelligent beings who possess supernatural abilities. They have the ability to shapeshift into human form. The more tails a Kitsune has (they can have as many as 9), the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. 

Shadow Puppet Kitsune Fox is made from an antique doll body collaged with old clothing patterns from my mom’s collection. On the torso, stenciled blue elk shadows roam across the topographic map of Redondo Peak of the Jemez Mountains in New Mexico. The head, formed as a shadow puppet, is made from a vintage kid leather glove that is embroidered with topography symbols. One arm is made from a weathered chair spindle and fragments from an old Black Hills leather pennant flag. The other arm is a black kid leather glove with white animal, bird and insect tracks, a shadow of the shadow puppet head. The spine is made from a raised relief map of the Shenandoah mountains. Shadow Puppet Kitsune Fox has five wire tails that are attached to the body with a leather thong and antique trade beads. There is a hanging loop on the back for wall hanging. Included also is a wooden stand for table top display. The steel rod on the wooden stand can be inserted into the back of the Fox at the base of the relief map for table display.

Shadow Puppet Kitsune Fox is a one of a kind art doll measuring 29 x 12.5 x 5 inches with stand or 26 x 12.5 x 5 inches as wall hanging.

photo by Addison Doty