Pair of 18th century Japanese Shinto Shrine Inari Kitsune.
Carved joined-wood construction with reverse painted glass eyes and a gofun surface of crushed natural shells with black and red pigment.

14.5”l x 5.5”w x 16.5”h each.
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Inari is a female Spirit(Kami) that rides upon a white fox(Kitsune). Kitsune serve as messengers for Inari and are known as shape-shifters that carry supernatural protective powers. Their white color represents a good omen and its jewel like tail(Hoshi no tama), an abundance of wealth and health, containing its life force and magical powers.
Believed to have arrived in Japan during the harshest famine, Inari is revered as the Spirit of rice, harvests and fertility - her name being derived from the kanji characters for “reaping rice”. Beginning in pre-Buddhist times, Inari and Kitsune became associated with Shintoism and pairs of foxes can still be seen guarding these high ranking shrines throughout Japan today.