Inari fox

19th century

Inari foxes are messengers of the god Inari, protector of agriculture. Usually depicted in white, Inari foxes are often seen with a ball of flames or a key that indicates their supernatural potency. A particularly popular god among the commoners of Edo (today’s Tokyo), Inari is honored with small shrines in many neighborhoods of the city.

Bronze, pearls, and gilt

Overall h.: 13 7/8 in.

Overall w.: 7 in.

Overall d.: 5 1/2 in.

Bequest of Frank D. Stout

98.47.23.2

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Flights of Fancy: Natural and Supernatural Images In Japanese Art, Dec. 9, 1998 - Aug. 1, 1999.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Deities and Demons: Supernatural in Japanese Art, Oct. 20, 2022 - ongoing.

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