![]() ![]() They also sometimes might have red bibs (called yodarekake) on that are commonly seen on other types of statues in Japanese Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples. So this association might be another reason why foxes and the color white goes hand-in-hand with Inari.Īlong with their hoshi-no-tama, the fox statues at Inari shrines will also usually come in pairs (one female and one male) and in their mouths or under their paws, they will hold jewels (a symbol that grants wishes), scrolls, keys, or another symbolic object. Dakiniten is sometimes portrayed as riding on a flying white fox. White might also be associated with the foxes because Inari sometimes the same as the Dakiniten, a Buddhist deity, or Benzaiten, one of the Japanese Seven Lucky Gods. White is seen as a symbol of purity, while black is the opposite, and red is seen as a color of good fortune and happiness. Apparently some Inari shrines actually used to have real foxes at their shrines and a common myth is that a white female fox protects one level of the shrine, and the black, male fox protects the other level (although the black fox is not a nogitsune). Meanwhile, nogitsune, are its counterparts black foxes (also meaning “field foxes”) that cause mayhem and aren’t connected to Inari. The shrines commonly depict white fox statues in their shrines because white foxes (also called myobu a term also meaning “lady” that came from a legend concerning kitsunes, or celestial foxes) are said to be the messengers. Common stories include them sleeping with men in order to steal their life force because they are technically spirits and can’t hold a form for long periods of time without some form of energy or sometimes, they just want to start families with them.Ī variety of kitsune mythology can be seen connected to Inari shrines. Kitsunes are also said to be mischievous, quick to anger, holds grudges for lifetime, and are generally female. They also commonly have a small ball or jewel called a hoshi-no-tama that supposedly stores some of their powers in or their soul or the soul of their victim, etc. They range from shapeshifting, possession, illusions, will-o-wisp (kitsune-bi), talking, and other things. ![]() Kitsunes are said to have a variety of powers and abilities. And because of Inari’s protection, the foxes became his messengers. Then there is a popular folktale that one night, a pair of foxes took shelter in an Inari temple and had kits there. No one is really quite sure how Inari became associated with these creatures, but its said because foxes eat rats which eat rice which is Inari’s principal protection.Īnother reason is said because foxes were popularly seen around rice fields which lent themselves to be the messenger of the rice god. Inari is known as the god of foxes, called kitsune, in Japanese mythology. But, there is one other thing that Inari is known for and that is foxes. Inari is also sometimes seen as male, female, both, or neither. Primarily, Inari is known as the god of rice and agriculture, but also of fertility, tea, sake, industry, general prosperity, and success.Īt one point, Inari was also the god of swordsmiths and merchants. As a deity, Inari is one of the most confusing kami of the Japanese Shinto/Buddhism tradition. ![]()
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