Fictional thought exercise

[chipotle]

In a setting that is an alternate version of feudal Japan, with races of anthropomorphic animals instead of humans but no other (overt) magic and myth, what would it mean for a fox-person to be a kitsune?

Comments

[kereminde.livejournal.com]

The problem with adding more Japanese-flavored terminology is how it can lead to a reader disconnect. Having them keep a running translation in the back of their head while reading can cause them to disconnect from the story and that ruins immersion.

I'm not saying it's "wrong" just saying adding them could potentially impact readability (is that a word? Well it is now!).