Foxes. Imagine them guarding not just rice but also household wellbeing at Musashino Inari Shrine. This isn’t just any shrine. It’s a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari. Inari is a very popular deity.
Inari shrines are known for vermilion torii gates. These mark the entrance. They separate the physical from the spiritual. You’ll also notice fox statues. These aren’t just decorations. They are messengers of Inari. Many believe they are Inari themselves.
These fox statues often come in pairs. Each represents male and female energies. Look closely. They hold symbolic items. Jewels, keys, rice sheaves, or fox cubs are common. The keys are often said to be keys of rice granaries. Almost every Inari shrine features these statues. They flank the altar or stand before the sanctuary.
The deity Inari embodies many things. These include improvement in the performing arts. Inari also represents business prosperity and general wellbeing. Rice, sake, tea, fertility, and industry also fall under Inari’s domain. The name “Inari” itself means “reaping of rice.” Rice is essential in the Japanese diet. It symbolizes heaven and earth’s miracles.
Offerings are common at Musashino Inari Shrine. People offer rice and sake. These please the kitsune messengers. The messengers then plead with Inari. Inari-zushi is another popular offering. It’s a sushi roll of rice-packed fried tofu. Foxes supposedly love fried tofu. The roll’s pointed corners resemble fox ears.
Red is the color of Inari. This color is prevalent in shrines and torii gates. The red is a sign of respect.
Inari worship is widespread. It remains unchanged by Meiji Restorations. The shrines are familiar to the Japanese.
The origins of Inari are ancient. Legend speaks of Hata no Irogu. He used rice for target practice. An arrow pierced the rice. The rice transformed into a white bird. It flew to Mount Mitsumine. There, it changed back into rice plants.
Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism, also played a role. He recognized Inari’s significance. He built a shrine and inscribed it with characters for “rice” and “sack”.
Inari’s role evolved. It began as a yashikigami. This is an estate deity enshrined on family land. Merchants adopted Inari. It became the kami of business. The practice of re-enshrining deities became common. This increased the deity’s status.
So, as you stand before Musashino Inari Shrine, remember the foxes. Remember the rice. Remember the long history of Inari. It is a deity deeply woven into Japanese culture.