I am currently studying the ancient Inari faith, one of Japan’s oldest and most widespread Shinto traditions. Over more than a thousand years, it has shaped Japanese life through agriculture, commerce, and protection. Yet the fox, Inari’s sacred messenger, continues to appear in new forms today. In this article, I introduce one of those modern transformations — the way BABYMETAL has brought the fox myth into the world of heavy metal.
From the endless torii gates of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine to the raised “fox sign” on a BABYMETAL stage, a single symbol connects two distant worlds — the fox (kitsune). In Japan, foxes have long been messengers of Inari, the deity of prosperity and transformation. In BABYMETAL’s mythology, the Fox God serves the same role — a divine guide leading the band through the world of metal music. Both embody the power of change, guidance, and faith.
The Fox in Inari Faith
The Inari deity has been worshipped since 711 CE, when Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded in Kyoto. Associated with agriculture, trade, and industry, Inari is one of the most venerated deities in Japan. Stone foxes guarding shrine grounds often hold a key, scroll, or jewel in their mouths — symbols of wisdom, wealth, and divine connection. In folklore, foxes are known as shapeshifters, beings that bridge the human and spiritual worlds. This transformative nature resonates deeply with BABYMETAL’s ever-changing musical identity.
The Birth of the Fox God
When BABYMETAL debuted in 2010, they were described as “maidens chosen by the Fox God.” This wasn’t merely stage fantasy — it mirrored the Shinto concept of a miko (shrine maiden) who channels the divine. Just as shrine maidens serve Inari, SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and YUIMETAL became metal priestesses, guided by a mysterious deity. Their 🦊 Fox Sign raised toward the sky resembles an act of worship — a modern ritual connecting heaven and sound.
Note: “FOX GOD” in BABYMETAL’s world is not a deity in a religious sense, but a creative symbol that connects tradition and modernity.
Parallels Between Inari and the Fox God
| Aspect | Inari Faith | BABYMETAL Mythology |
|---|---|---|
| Deity | Inari Ōkami — god of prosperity, transformation, and protection | FOX GOD — divine guide of metal |
| Messenger / Symbol | Fox spirits as divine messengers | Fox Sign, masks, and symbolic fox imagery |
| Ritual Space | Shrine surrounded by torii gates and stone foxes | Stage illuminated by red light, evoking a modern shrine |
| Followers | Worshippers and miko (shrine maidens) | Fans known as “The One” |
| Core Theme | Transformation and purification | Transcendence and unity through music |
Metal as Modern Shinto
A BABYMETAL concert resembles a living shrine: the opening “BABYMETAL DEATH” begins the ritual, “Road of Resistance” represents trial, and “The One” completes it with unity. This sequence mirrors the Shinto pilgrimage — passing through the gate, offering prayers, and reaching purification. BABYMETAL thus becomes a shrine of sound and light, where each listener experiences spiritual connection through music.
Conclusion — The Eternal Kitsune
From the foxes that guard Japan’s rice fields to those dancing beneath the lights of a metal stage, the essence remains the same — the power to guide transformation. The Fox God of BABYMETAL is not carved in stone, but lives within sound, belief, and collective energy. Just as the Inari foxes once guided villagers, BABYMETAL now leads global audiences, uniting tradition and rebellion, silence and sound, faith and performance.
I, too, keep several of the CDs of these girls!