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Inari
Jan 16, 2007 21:13:51 GMT -5
Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:13:51 GMT -5
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Inari
Jan 16, 2007 21:18:04 GMT -5
Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:18:04 GMT -5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inari_%28mythology%29Inari (Japanese: ·RºÉ; also Oinari) is the Shinto god of fertility, rice, agriculture, and foxes. Inari's foxes, or kitsune, are pure white and act as his messengers. Inari is variously depicted as either male or female. The god often appears as an old man, carrying a sack of rice, followed by two white foxes; however, Inari also frequently appears as a woman. It seems to be the case that, at one point, there existed two separate gods known as Inari ¡ª one male, one female; one a god of rice, the other a more general god of food and fertility. Over time, the separate gods became one composite mythological entity, who continued to be depicted as either male and female. The preferred gender of depiction varies by region and by one's personal beliefs. Because of Inari's close association with kitsune, Inari is also sometimes depicted as a fox. Folklore also attests to his shape-shifting abilities: on one occasion, Inari appeared to a wicked man in the shape of a monstrous spider as a way of teaching him a lesson. Fushimi Inari ShrineInari's female aspect is often identified or conflated with the Dakiniten, incarnations of the Buddhist deity Dakini, or with Benzaiten of the Seven Lucky Gods. [1] Shrines and offerings Inari is a popular deity with temples located throughout most of Japan. The entrance to an Inari shrine is usually marked by one or more vermilion torii and some statues of kitsune, which are usually adorned with red bibs out of respect. These statues are at times taken for a form of Inari. The main shrine is the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Fushimi, Kyoto, Japan, where the paths up the shrine hill are marked in this fashion. Offerings of rice, sake, and other food are given at the shrine to appease and please these kitsune messengers. Inari-zushi, a Japanese sushi roll of packaged fried tofu, is another popular offering. Fried tofu is believed to be a favorite food of Japanese foxes, and an Inari-zushi roll has pointed corners that resemble fox ears, thus reinforcing the association. Festival In some parts of Ky¨±sh¨±, a festival or praying period begins five days before the full moon in November; occasionally it is extended to a full week. This is accompanied by bringing offerings of rice products to a shrine to Inari each day and receiving o-mamori (protection charms). The festival is particularly popular in the countryside near Nagasaki.
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Inari
Jan 16, 2007 21:18:57 GMT -5
Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:18:57 GMT -5
Inari: The Japanese god of food or goddess of rice. Inari is one of the most mysterious deities of Japan. He is both male and female. Each year he/she descends from a mountain to the rice fields. The fox is Inari's messenger and it is believed that he/she can assume a fox's shape. The deity may also assume the shape of a spider in order to teach wicked men a lesson. Inari is portrayed with a beard and carrying two bundles of rice. An Inari-shrine can be found in many Japanese towns and in many households he/she is venerated as a symbol of prosperity and friendship. These shrines are guarded by statues of foxes, divine messengers. Inari's central temple is Fushimi-Inari in south-east Kyoto city, built around 700 AD. Inari the rice-goddess is celebrated in a festival held during the first days of spring when cultivation begins. She may be identified with the Indian Lakshmi and the Javanese Dewi Sri. Inari is also sometimes identified with Uga-no-Mitama, the goddess of agriculture. -The god Inari was married to the rice goddess Ukemochi. After Tsuki-yomi [moon god] killed her, Inari took over her functions, to become god of the rice crop. An ancient patron of sword smiths, he was also popular as a god of prosperity. The Shinto pantheon includes a number of major divinities not mentioned in the myths summarized thus far. One is Inari, the Rice God. Closely related to Ogetsu-no-hime, the Food Goddess, Inari is widely venerated not only as the deity who ensures an abundant rice harvest, but also as the patron of general prosperity. As such, he is especially worshipped by merchants. Inari’s messenger is the fox, and a pair of these creatures invariably flanks his image at every Inari shrine. In ancient times, Inari was considered the patron of sword smiths as well as of merchants and rice farmers. Inari: Japanese rice goddess. Kodomo-no-Inari: The children’s fox deity of Japanese myth. Inari: Both a male and female deity, Inari is the god/goddess of rice and agriculture. Inari: Inari in Japanese mythology, god primarily known as the protector of rice cultivation. The god also furthers prosperity and is worshiped particularly by merchants and tradesmen, is the patron deity of sword smiths and is associated with brothels and entertainers. In Shinto legends Inari is identified with Uka no Mitama no Kami ("August Spirit of Food"), son of the impetuous storm god, Susanoo. The rice god is also associated in some Shinto shrines with the goddess of food, Ukemochi no Kami; and there is considerable variation in the way in which Inari is depicted, as a bearded man riding a white fox or as a woman with long, flowing hair, carrying sheaves of rice. The fox, symbolizing both benevolence and malevolence, is sometimes identified with the messenger of Inari, and statues of foxes are found in great numbers both inside and outside shrines dedicated to the rice god. Other characteristics of Inari shrines are their deep red buildings, long rows of votive torii (gateways), and the hoshu-no-tama (a pear-shaped emblem surmounted by flame like symbols). Most renowned among the numerous Inari shrines throughout Japan is the Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto. www.inari-art.com/rel_mythX.htm
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