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Edo p. Japanese Shinto Shrine Fox Pair, Kitsune

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All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese: Pre 1900: item # 674307

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Edo p. Japanese Shinto Shrine Fox Pair, Kitsune
An exquisite pair of gofun covered fox on black and gold lacquered stands protected by copper wire cages, dating from the second half of the Edo period. They wear a shrewd look, eyes narrowed to slits, enhancing their mischievous image. The mystical carvings are covered in white gofun, stained a soft gray from age with highlights still white from eons of careful cleaning. Around the pair of ethereal creatures are removable cages of copper wire to protect the sacred images, the gofun coating made from powdered shell a tasty source of calcium for foraging rodents. The fox alone are roughly 6-1/2 inches (17 cm) tall, with stand together roughly 8-1/2 inches (21 cm) tall. The back paw of one of the animals is missing, but the copper cages have born the brunt of damage and otherwise all is in fine condition. The fox is a magical being, believed a shape shifter and protector of Shinto Shrines. They are also the kami (a term meaning divinity) of business. Every January the Fox Shrine, Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, is inundated at New Year with entrepreneurs, business people and the self employed praying for a successful year.


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