Inari Ōkami

Inari and her fox spirits help the blacksmith Munechika forge the blade ko-kitsune-maru (Little Fox) in the late 10th century. This legend is the subject of the noh drama Sanjo Kokaji.

Inari (稲荷; also Oinari) is the Japanese kami (spirit) of fertility, rice and agriculture. Inari is sometimes represented as a male, female or both.

The traditional messengers of Inari are foxes.

References

  1. 1 2 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Hōki" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 386.