The worship of Inari seems to be more prevalent in Japan than I had ever imagined. Being a devotee of the fox image in Chinese and Japanese art and literature, I am ever on the look out for more information about this favorite topic. Ms. Smyers, an assistant professor of Religion at Wesleyen University, has written an interesting study of the connection of foxes with the worship of Inari.
According to Ms. Smyers, the worship of Inari is highly individualized and is concerned with growth, change, increase, fertility, etc. (214). Although not officially identified with Inari, the fox is a main symbol and is considered to accompany or act as a messenger to Inari. Ms. Smyers provides many references to foxes in folk tale, legend, and image. She references the Hiroshige woodblock depicted on this blog.
I found her study very interesting and thorough. I recommend it to anyone with interests similar to mine.
Smyers, Karen A. The Fox and the Jewel. 1999. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press.
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