What is the meaning of this 'fox' hand gesture?


In chapter 729 of トモちゃんは女の子 (Tomo-chan wa Onna no Ko), two characters are
negotiating, while other two do the hand gestures depicted in the following
image:

[![Carol and Tomo
gesturing](https://i.stack.imgur.com/bkR6X.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/bkR6X.jpg)

By the Giseigo (Onomatopoeia) used here (コンコン - Kon Kon) I deduce it has to do
something with foxes (Foxes being described in Japanese folklore as very
intelligent and cunning). I have seen the same gesturing a couple of times
before (I don't remember where) in the approximately same situation (a
character leading another by the nose).

What is the meaning, then, of said gesturing? A reliable source or reference
would be appreciated.




The origin of it's recent popularity is likely linked to the female metal band
Baby Metal which [popularized
it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oHeqQAD56k#t=2m29s), potentially as a
variation (perhaps accidentally) of the [Sign of the
Horns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns) ([Maloik
sign](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%AB%E3%83%8A) in Japanese).
Often referred to in Japanese as キツネサイン or Fox sign. Associations to Shinto
shrines and fox masks are present in some of their works, so it might have
been capitalized later on as part of their brand.

In the given context, there is likely no deeper meaning besides a cute
greeting between girls. Perhaps used like the Peace sign. The sign itself
probably predates the band. As it's see used in various places including the
WWE, as the ["Too Sweet Sign"](https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-too-sweet-hand-
gesture-meaning).

It probably not like one of those campaign that [catch on via social
media](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/its-okay-to-talk-suicide-
prevention-men_us_57c460d1e4b09cd22d919807) for promoting a specific purpose.

The gesture itself predates modern pop culture and can be see in Buddhism or
Hinduism as mudras called the [Apan](https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/apan-
mudra) or [Simhamukha](http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2008/03/25/simhamukha-
hand-gesture-mudra/), depending on who you ask.

