これは何？

稲荷の狐稲荷の狐

狐は稲と豊穣の神・稲荷の使い。一対の石の狐を見たら、そこはほぼ稲荷神社です。

英語の本文を読む: English

Meanings vary between shrines and people; present them as the common explanations, not as fixed rules.

見分け方

• Pointed ears, slim body, bushy tail
• Often a red bib
• Something in the mouth or under a paw

似ているもの

• 狛犬 — Komainu have curly manes and broad lion-like faces.

What's in the mouth?

• Key: Usually explained as the key to the rice storehouse
• Jewel: A wish-granting jewel
• Rice sheaf: A rich harvest
• Scroll: Wisdom or sacred teaching

見られる場所

出典

• Japan Travel: Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Karen A. Smyers, The Fox and the Jewel (Univ. of Hawai'i Press, 1999)