His character is a kitsune. Usually depicted as only one tail but can have up to four, with his blotchy asymmetric markings representing his character being a "half breed." We've been talking more over the past year about the lore of the kitsune aspect. Recently I have been enjoying watching him play a game called "Ghost of Tsushima" which also happens to feature foxes leading you to inari shrines, and some inari themed powerups/charms. Having been to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto Japan, I thought he would fit right in with all the other fox statues there. The way they are posed, they look like they could spring to life. I tried to show this with his hair "frozen in time" mid-breeze.
Because Inari is the kami of rice, many fox statues carry rice in their mouths. I thought the bright golden rice would work well with the overall composition, color scheme, and add to the "breezy" feeling. I opted out of drawing in the red markings, because there are few statues featuring these markings, and even less that haven't washed or worn away. I figure these markings would reappear when he comes to life, but right now is in some form of temporary sleep.
The background is a purchased photo of the summit of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. I haven't personally been to the summit (my feet were in too bad of a shape to attempt the 3 hour climb last time I was there), but it has a very peaceful ambiance.
tenkri)<3
