Fushimi Inari-taisha
68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
The biggest attraction at Fushimi Inari-taisha is the Senbon Torii. The sight of rows upon rows of vermilion torii gates is simply breathtaking!
The items held in the mouths of the foxes at Fushimi Inari-taisha are mainly four kinds: rice ears, a scroll, a jewel (hoshu), and a key. These are said to be carried by the foxes (white foxes), messengers of Inari Ōkami, and each has a different meaning.
Types and meanings of the items the foxes hold
The fox statues at Fushimi Inari-taisha typically hold one of the following four items.
Rice ears: Symbolizing a bountiful harvest and indicating that Inari Ōkami is a deity of agriculture.
Scroll: Representing wisdom and knowledge, and believed to record the divine virtues of Inari Ōkami.
Jewel (hoshu): A symbol of Inari Ōkami’s spiritual virtue or soul.
Key: Seen as the key to Inari Ōkami’s treasure house, or as a symbol of the desire to possess the jewel (spiritual virtue).
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