More than 1000 stone statues of foxes

I found a photo I took on January 20, 2017.

The location is Toyokawa Inari in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture.

Inari shrines are places where foxes are enshrined.

This particular shrine is considered one of the three great Inari shrines in Japan, with over 1,000 fox statues.

Another famous one is Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

The iconic red torii gates are well known.

Here’s a photo I took when I visited Fushimi Inari in October 2016.

Toyokawa Inari and Fushimi Inari are the two leading Inari shrines in Japan.

There are various theories about why foxes are enshrined at Inari shrines.

In ancient Japan, foxes were believed to be divine messengers or subordinates of the gods.

Did ancient Japanese people experience good fortune after helping foxes?

Or did they face misfortune after harming foxes? The details are unclear.

It is believed that the connection between foxes and mythology may be due to Japan’s history of frequent natural disasters, such as earthquakes.

Foxes are also said to be unsuitable as pets and are considered difficult animals to handle.

Now, Toyokawa City borders Okazaki City, known as the “stone capital” of Japan.

I believe the 1,000 fox statues at Toyokawa Inari originated in Okazaki.

Although there’s no specific information available, it seems reasonable to think that the stonemasons of Okazaki, a neighboring town, created them.

My store sells many works by stonemasons from Okazaki.

I plan to ask stonemasons in Okazaki about the details.

In my next article, I’m considering writing about why Okazaki is known as Japan’s stone capital.

For tourists visiting Japan, I highly recommend coming to Aichi Prefecture as well.

Toyokawa Inari is also known as the god of business prosperity.

It might bring good fortune to your business!