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.