546 ~ Shinkouji Side Shrine

Japanese Name: ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Shinkouji
Deity: ?
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 16-Jan-2019
Location: Toyokawa
Address: 〒442-0046 Aichi-ken, Toyokawa-shi, Saiwaichō, 89
Coordinates: 34.82412,137.38725

The first fox shrine that I should find on my epic stray from Toyokawa to Toyohashi, and also the first humble fox shrine I should find in Toyokawa. This one is a side shrine of Shinkouji (真光寺 "True Light Temple"), and is located on an elongated stretch of land behind the temple (which is still in the middle of the city though). You need to walk for about 40m to get to this shrine from the temple. I wonder why it's so far away. It's not like there's anything else on that land.

One reason I could imagine is that this shrine is tied to the tree beneath which it stands, and that it came to be associated with the nearby temple. And then, when the land was developed, all the land between the shrine and the temple was considered part of the temple grounds. But all that is only my guess.

Anyway, two tiny foxes watch over this shrine, and they're not the usual porcelain pair. Instead, one is a typical white porcelain fox, and the other is a white stone or clay fox, that is a little bit bigger (but still tiny).

 

545 ~ Oogi Inari Daimyoujin

 

Japanese Name: 王禾稲荷大明神
Romanized Reading: Oogi Inari Daimyoujin
English Translation: King Tree Inari Great Radiant Deity
Size: Small Side Shrine of Susanoo Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 12-Jan-2019
Location: Toyohashi
Address: 26 Muroonishicho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8089
Coordinates: 34.75178,137.35365

The first fox shrine that I should find in the Toyokawa/Toyohashi area. This one is located at the outskirts of Toyohashi, and I come across it in the evening after walking back to the station from the JMoF (Japan Meeting of Furries), which is what brought me here in the first place.

A side shrine of Susanoo Jinja (素盞鳴神社 "Naked Sake Cup Chirp Shrine"), two tiny porcelain foxes reside within.
 

🡻Nara - Toyokawa/Toyohashi🡹

This is just a marker post. All shrines before this post are in Nara, and all shrines after this are in Toyokawa, Toyohashi or in between.

544 ~ Genkuro Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name: 源九郎稲荷神社 
Romanized Reading: Genkuro Inari Jinja
English Translation: Original Nine Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Kangou Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 3
First Visit: 8-Jan-2019
Location: Nara
Address: 二番地 Kangokucho, Nara, 630-8242
Coordinates: 34.68342,135.82542

The final fox shrine that I should find during my first visit to Nara. This one is again located in a courtyard, but this time, the entrance is to the east. Two tiny porcelain foxes reside within, together with one tiny stone fox who looks to have lost its counterpart.
 

543 ~ Touato Inarisha

 

Japanese Name: 塔跡稲荷社
Romanized Reading: Touato Inarisha
English Translation: Tower Ruins Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Gangouji Fudoudou
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8
First Visit: 8-Jan-2019
Location: Nara
Address: 1 Shibatsukinukecho, Nara-shi, Nara-ken 630-8385
Coordinates: 34.67675,135.83160

A tiny side shrine of Gangouji Fudoudou (元興寺不動堂 "Original Pleasure Temple Original Hall"), which is located in a hidden forested courtyard of sorts, that must be accessed through a gate to the west.

This one features ten tiny porcelain foxes, as well as a single lonely life sized stone fox, who is modeled as explicitly male. Since he doesn't have a counterpart, however, this one does not increase the vixen side count.

 

542 ~ Shusse Inari Jinja (Matchmaking God)

 

Japanese Name: 出世稲荷神社 
Romanized Reading: Shusse Inari Jinja
English Translation: Sucess-in-Life Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Goryou Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8
First Visit: 8-Jan-2019
Location: Nara
Address: ２４ 番地 Yakushidocho, Nara, 630-8321
Coordinates: 34.67619,135.83079

A tiny side shrine of Goryou Jinja (御霊神社 "Honorable Spirit Shrine") which features two small stone foxes next to the shrine, and another six tiny porcelain foxes on the shrine's porch.

This shrine is also known as Enmusubi-no-Kami (えんむすびの神 "Matchmaking God"), being "in charge" of bringing people together. A plaque next to the shrine literally reads "Matchmaking god for wedding someone wonderful".

 

541 ~ Inarisha (Red & white bibs)

 

Japanese Name: 稲荷社 
Romanized Reading: Inarisha
English Translation: Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Sudou Tennousha
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8
First Visit: 8-Jan-2019
Location: Nara
Address: 40 Nishikideracho, Nara, 630-8307
Coordinates: 34.67352,135.83362

A tiny vulpine side shrine of Sudou Tennousha (崇道天皇社 "Respected Road Heavenly Emperor Shrine"). Two life-sized stone foxes flank this shrine, one with a rare white bib, and the other with the traditional red bib. Since red and white are considered auspicious colors in Japan and are frequently seen in combination, I'm actually surprised that I didn't see a pairing like this before.

Anyway, there are also six tiny porcelain foxes within the shrine. Also, Sudou Tennousha is a bit tricky to reach: Although it is located only 20m south of the main road, you actually have to go to a side road 70m to the west, and then walk back east to the shrine from there.