Kitsune-Gao no Fujin

「昔々…」
^{“Once upon a time…”}

In a remote mountain village called Chitenjin, a servant named Youko was completing her final year of servitude to the Higan clan.

The Higan clan was a prosperous family who recently pulled itself out of destitution thanks to the eldest son Suzaku’s leadership. His kindness put an end to the hardships Youko endured under his father’s rule, and so she counted the days towards her freedom with a clear conscience.

However, strange events have been occurring in the home lately.

Doors opening by themselves, disembodied voices speaking in otherwise empty hallways, and inexplicable confusion amongst the servants.

There have also been growing rumors in the village about Suzaku’s newly wedded wife Tsukiwe being a kitsune in disguise due to her beautiful, fox-faced visage and their sudden marriage.

Youko didn’t believe these rumors at first, but when one of the family’s dogs suddenly vanishes after being last seen with Tsukiwe, she’s compelled to investigate the mysterious origins of the fox-faced wife.

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PLAYER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

This game is not suitable for those easily disturbed. Please heed the content warnings before playing. If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break or speak to someone you trust.

Content Warnings (no spoilers)

Violent imagery, body horror, blood, abuse, alcohol use, drug use, and gender discrimination.

Content Warnings (spoilers)

Sexual abuse, incest, grooming, violent imagery, animal death, body horror, suggestive content, abuse, self-harm, blood, alcohol use, drug use, gender discrimination, substance abuse, drug abuse, and drug-induced hallucinations.

News

9/13/2026

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9/13/2026

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9/13/2026

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Synopsis

In the Tokugawa Period, a 19-year old girl named Youko is a servant for the Higan family, a noble samurai clan in the remote mountain village of Chitenjin.

She was sold to the Higan family 10 years ago to pay off her family’s debts, and now is almost finished with her final year of servitude. While steadfast and obedient, she has always been an outcast among the other female servants due to her plain, blunt and flat-affect nature.

She endured several hardships under the previous head of the clan, but now that Suzaku, the eldest son, has become heir to the family’s name, she is able to sigh a breath of relief and look forward to her freedom. Not only that, she gets along very well with his newly-wedded wife Tsukiwe, who married Suzaku just about a year ago.

But strange things have been occurring as of late: doors opening by themselves, disembodied voices speaking in otherwise empty hallways, and inexplicable confusion amongst the servants. Not to mention, the rumors floating around in the village lately about Tsukiwe being a kitsune in disguise.

Then, suddenly, one of the family’s dogs vanish, and Tsukiwe was the last one seen with it.

Now, Youko is compelled to investigate, and will navigate through the village and household to find any clues to the dog’s whereabouts all while collecting any evidence supporting or refuting the rumors.

Will she choose to expose Tsukiwe?

Or will she venture down the fox hole to prove her innocence?

Characters

Youko
_ようこ

19-year old maid of the Higan clan who was sold into slavery 10 years ago to pay off her family’s debts.

Tsukiwe
_つきゑ

The young, kind but strange wife of Suzaku.

Suzaku
_緋丸朱雀

The prodigious 25-year old heir to the Higan clan.

[Uncle] Higan
_緋丸○○

Solemn 65-year old uncle of Suzaku currently filling in as head of the clan until Suzaku can properly inherit the title, but still lets his nephew make all the decisions.

Kougou
_小督

The sickly frail mother of Suzaku.

Tarou
_太郎

Dog?

Youko
_ようこ

19-year old maid of the Higan clan who was sold into slavery 10 years ago to pay off her family’s debts.

Tsukiwe
_つきゑ

The young, kind but strange wife of Suzaku.

Suzaku Higan
_緋丸朱雀

The prodigious 25-year old heir of the Higan clan, currently being mentored by his uncle.

[Uncle] Higan
_緋丸○○

Solemn 65-year old uncle of Suzaku currently filling in as head of the clan until Suzaku can properly inherit the title, but still lets his nephew make all the decisions.

Kogou
_小督

The sickly frail mother of Suzaku. She spends most of her life indoors and only occasionally leaves her bedroom.

Videos

[Reveal Trailer Placeholder]

[Official Trailer Placeholder]

Gallery

[screenshots]

Credits

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Academic Sources PDF

Academic Sources

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Special Thanks

My best friend Billie and my other friends [tk] for beta testing the game.

My friends Morgan and Lio for assisting with my Japanese.

Galen Skibyak, who provided a free copy of their thesis “Kitsune: A Look into the Lasting Presence of the Fox Spirit in Japanese Culture“. (website)