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It is the blog How Unique Japan! We always share some Japanese features through this site!
So, what comes today?
Some days in the past, we have written about guardian dogs in shrines Komainu. However, other animals also became guardians or gods.
The most famous one of the animals should be a Fox.
Indeed.
There are many shrines enshrining foxes as a god in Japan. Their name is Inari.
So today, we will give you tips about those shrines (or the god).
How famous, and what is the history behind it?
Do you remember that we talked about gods around Japan?
Yep. Japan has many of them, and each handles different duties—for example, protecting people from illness, accidents, or karma. (If you are interested in that, visit the front page!)
Then, what kind of duty does the Inari have?
The god is a helper in the outcome of Japanese agriculture, especially rice.
That means ancient Japanese used to pray for a smooth life with enough food.
One document stated that it dates back to 711 AD (nearly 1,500 years old!). Since then, the Japanese have added additional responsibilities to Inari related to agricultural outcomes.
For instance, ancient Japanese prayed for good health as they were responsible for agriculture.
They believed that healthy foods would promote good health and benefit businesses.
So, Inari’s responsibilities gradually grew widespread.
During the Edo period (1603 – 1868), the number of shrines in Edo city exceeded 30,000! (The Edo city size was under 70km square.)
There is a saying or wordplay associated with this.
“We have a lot of Iseya (old Japanese department store) and Inari shrines like DOG SH◯T!!”
Oh jeez.
They should have paid more respect for the god.
Why is the FOX?
Then, you naturally got a question. Why did the fox become a god for harvesting?
A correct answer is in thick fog.
At least, there is one suitable theory from his habit.
A fox is a clever and skillful hunter, quickly adapting to its environment.
For example, after humankind (in Japan) started agriculture, the hunters soon noticed there would be food around areas where humans lived.
It is rats/mice.
They will eat and ruin the stock from the farms. It is vegetables, any products from the soil, and RICE. So, rice is Japanese soul food.
This is why ancient Japanese admired the animal as the protector of harvesting.
Yep. Their (old Japanese) respect pushed the foxes to the high spiritual class, like a god.
Besides, another interesting theory suggests. A fox’s tail resembles a fully grown rice ear.
You might have noticed that several theories are trying to explain how a fox became a god. So, the answer is in a gray zone.
The Inari favorite food
Such a unique god has a favorite food. It is a deep-fried tofu (soybean curd) called Abura Age (thinly sliced tofu with deep-fried).
As mentioned, the foxes symbolized the results of agriculture. Therefore, the ancient Japanese offered various foods, such as rice, soybeans, and vegetables.
It (the offerings) gradually transformed into fried tofu because the Japanese thought such food was gorgeous/oily in the old times.
There is one more fun. As you might know, Japan is popular with SUSHI. It is always seaweed rolling and covering the rice vinegar tasted. However, we have another style of sushi.
It is Inari Zushi. So, the rice is in the deep-fried tofu instead of the weed. Indeed. Its name is from the god because his favorite one beautifully covers the rice.
Besides, the Abura age tasted with soy-source, mirin (sweet sake), and sugar. Let us say. It is YUMMY.
To close
Foxes are mysterious animals in some Asian fairy tales. As you might know, one famous Japanese cartoon showed a big one with nine tails and divine power.
On the other hand, some Western/European stories say that they are cheater or sneaky.
It’s such an animal fill of catchy.
It is all today!
Thanks for reading this article, everyone! If you are still interested in this page, please visit the Front Page.
We now have four categories: Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religion.
OK! SEE YOU FOR THE NEXT ARTICLE!