Fox Tale

Fox Tale by cloven first appeared in issue Issue 92 in 2021.

Creator's Notes

This illo depicts a kitsune and a nekomata; while kabuki mask symbolism for kitsune is pretty widespread, nekomata are a bit less represented, so I went with a more rounded and catty shape. The biggest difference between them is of course the tails–while kitsune can have nine tails, that’s generally something that comes with age. This kitsune is just at the four-tail level, but I believe in him. Nekomata traditionally have two tails (not to be confused with bakeneko, which are more standard cat-shaped).

Nekomata traditionally evoke the geisha and are generally depicted with a shamisen and long, flowing hair. My nekomata here tends more toward the kagema side of the courtesan spectrum. Full disclosure: everything happening here is completely consensual and they are both very into it behind those masks.