What is Inari the god of?
Inari, in Japanese mythology, god primarily known as the protector of rice cultivation. The fox, symbolizing both benevolence and malevolence, is sometimes identified with the messenger of Inari, and statues of foxes are found in great numbers both inside and outside shrines dedicated to the rice god.
What religion is Inari from?
Inari, the kami that Fushimi Inari-Taisha is dedicated to, is a popular figure in Shinto practice and is the Japanese deity of foxes, rice, fertility, agriculture, industry, and general prosperity.
Why do people worship Inari?
Enshrined Deity The ancient Japanese word stems from the importance of rice in the daily Japanese diet and symbolizes the miracles of heaven and earth. As one of the principal deities of Shinto, Inari houses, feeds, and protects all people so that they may live a fulfilling life.
What is the most powerful Kitsune?
tenko
After reaching 1,000 years of age and gaining its ninth tail, a kitsune turns a white or golden color, becoming a tenko (天狐, ‘heavenly/celestial fox’), the most powerful form of the kitsune, and then ascends to the heavens.
What does Inari mean in sushi?
Inari sushi, or “fox sushi,” gets its name from the belief that foxes love abura-age. Inari sushi, which means “fox sushi,” is a delicious rice dish that’s easy to make and perfect for packing into bento boxes.
What is a kitsune weakness?
Weakness. Heart destruction – A Kitsune can only be killed by being stabbed in the heart with a knife or dagger. Decapitation – The act of removing the Kitsune’s head will result in death. Heart Extraction – It is possible that removing the Kitsune’s heart will result in death.
Where is the best place to worship Inari?
Inari shrines are everywhere. One out of three Shinto shrines is dedicated to Inari (Smyers 1). The most popular Shinto Inari shrine is Fushimi Inari Shrine in southern Kyoto. Since the eighth century, Inari has been worshiped here by the mountain with the same name.
When does Inari come down from the mountain?
One of the main myths concerning Inari tells of this kami coming down a mountain every spring when it is planting season and ascending back up the mountain after the harvest for the winter. Both events are celebrated in popular folk festivals (Herbert 506).
Who is the Moon kami associated with Inari?
Another kami identified with Inari is Uke-mochi, the Shinto goddess of food. According to a myth recorded in the Nihongoki, Uke vomited rice and fish to give to Tsukiyomi, the Moon Kami, at a banquet.
What are the two images associated with Inari?
Usually when one refers to Inari the two general images are of an old man sitting on a pile of rice with two foxes beside him, or of a beautiful fox-woman. The kami directly identified with Inari are quite numerous.