Kitsune and Tanuki

Both are like the martial artists of transformation in the legends of Japan.

Kitsune is 'fox'. Japan has many a myth and tale of foxes using trickery.
'Shippo' means 'tail', and 'Shippou'  is a name, which can mean 'the 7 treasures' of silver, pearls, gold, agate, lapis lazuli, crystal, and coral.
It can be stretched to be seven disguises of the Ninja...
Much like 'Russell' means 'red fox' back in Latin or such. - you're not named 'red fox' exactly, see?
 
Tanuki are native in Japan, a dog species looking like a raccoon or badger.
In the tales, the tanuki transforms into monks or tea kettles to trick people;
many a time casting illusions on poor unsuspecting saps.