Inari foxes

ca. 18th-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.

Low-fired ceramic with paint

25 x 11 x 17 in. (63.5 x 27.9 x 43.2 cm)

Gift of Steiner-Helsby Family Foundation

2021.31.1

Provenance: [Gene Zema Architectural Office and Gallery, Seattle, Washington]; purchased by Carlyn Steiner, Seattle, Washington, ca. 1985; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2021

Photo: Scott Leen

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

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

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