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Japan Rare Hand Carved Stone Inari Fox Kitsune, Old Inari Shrine

About the Item

Japan, a fine smaller hand carved stone Inari fox kitsune carved in a handsome simple manner, Showa period. Dimensions: 12inches tall and 8.5 inches long Provenance: Private Tokyo collection Wonderful sinuous castings, superb original old patina, unusual opportunity. Surface and ear from age. History: Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. According to Yo¯kai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shape shift into men or women. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others as foxes in folklore often do other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers and wives. Foxes and human beings lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit and serve as its messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a kitsune has they may have as many as nine the older, wiser and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a Shinto deity. Worship of Inari spread across Japan in the Edo period, and by the 16th century Inari had become the patron of blacksmiths and the protector of warriors. Inari is a popular figure in both Shinto and Buddhist beliefs in Japan. More than one-third (32,000) of the Shinto shrines in Japan are dedicated to Inari. Modern corporations, such as cosmetic company Shiseido, continue to revere Inari as a patron kami, with shrines atop their corporate headquarters. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.

Dimensions:

Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)

Style:

Showa (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Stone,Hand-Carved

Place of Origin:

Japan

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Mid-20th Century