Fox Statue, Fushimi Inari Shrine

Illustration

James Blake Wiener
by
published on 22 May 2017
Fox Statue, Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto (Heiankyo) is the largest and most important shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. It is famous for the large number of red gates (torii) at the site. The shrine was founded in 711 CE by the Hata clan and moved from its original location on Mt. Inari to its present location near Kyoto in the 9th century CE. In Shinto mythology the fox is Inari's vehicle and guardian. Consequently, the god's shrines may have many statues of foxes, often, like this example, wearing a red bib for good luck.

About the Author

James Blake Wiener
James Blake Wiener
James is a writer and former Professor of History. He holds an MA in World History with a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of Ancient History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Wiener, J. B. (2017, May 22). Fox Statue, Fushimi Inari Shrine. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/image/6692/

Chicago Style

Wiener, James B. "Fox Statue, Fushimi Inari Shrine." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 22, 2017. https://www.ancient.eu/image/6692/.

MLA Style

Wiener, James B. "Fox Statue, Fushimi Inari Shrine." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 22 May 2017. Web. 13 Nov 2019.

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