444 ~ Tenmei Daimyoujin, Ukanomitama Ookami (and more) (Silver Foxes)

 

Japanese Name: 天命大明神, 宇迦之御魂大神++
Romanized Reading: Tenmei Daimyoujin, Ukanomitama Ookami++
English Translation: Mandate of Heaven Great Radiant Deity, Roof's Honorable Spirit Great Deity
Size: Tiny Side shrine of Nanamen-no-Taki
Deity: Ukanomitama
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 25-Dec-2018
Location: Kyoto-Fushimi
Address: 0813 612 Fukakusa Gokurakuji Yamacho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0813
Coordinates: 34.9644 135.7871

The 82nd vulpine side shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and the fourth within the Nanamen-no-Taki cluster. This one features a pair of tiny, silver-colored porcelain foxes, which is no something I have seen anywhere else thus far.

Ukanomitama is a name that you often find as the enshrined deity of Inari Shrines. So maybe "Inari" is more like a group of rice/food/fertility/wealth deities, and "Inari" is more of a title than a name? It would make sense since "Inari" literally translates to "Rice Bearer". Well, as long as they shelter foxes at their shrines, that's good for me.

It also has three Iwakura with plenty of other names. Unfortunately, I don't have a clear shot of all of them. But if you want to try deciphering them, here's what I have: