I love Shinto mythology. It's fascinating where the lines between Humans, gods, spirits, and beasts begins to blur.

I've talked about this a number of times on GW, but I'm an egotist who loves to hear himself talk. If anyone wants to know more about this, just ask. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions I can on mythology of any type.
As far as the Kitsune myth relates to naruto, Foxes are not born as Kyuubi. They must live a long life and go through multiple changes before reaching the level of Kyuubi. After living one thousand years, the Kitsune can finally ascend to the level of celestial nine-tailed fox, but if those thousand years are spent in anger or hatred the kyuubi will attack humans like a plague on the land. It's also worth noting that fox's can take a woman's form or posses a woman. A lot of naruto fans use this as a possible reason why we've never heard of Naruto's mother.