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Samui: cool Apr 18 2020, 01:04 PM

Kira Resari: I just found out that Tamamo no Mae is featured in Gegege no Kitaro. Here's her first appearance. =^,^= https://www.gogoanime1.com/watch/gegege-no-kitarou-2018/episode/episode-74 Apr 18 2020, 05:04 AM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of Nanaca Crash with a score of 4949.85! Mar 14 2020, 05:03 PM

Kira Resari: Aaaand, that's it with my fox shrine thread! Crud, it fell jsut short of 100,000 "views" =^,~'= Dec 14 2019, 09:12 AM

Kira Resari: Yay! The new Pokémon feature new foxes! Soon I can build a team entirely composed from different fox Pokémon =^,^= https://serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/thievul/ Nov 17 2019, 01:11 AM

Kira Resari: Today features the climax of my Japanese spiritual fox experience with an epic ceremony at Toyokawa Inari Betsuin Nov 03 2019, 01:11 AM

Kira Resari: I also wrote/am still writing a blog about all that: http://kiraresari.blogspot.com/ Oct 10 2019, 07:10 AM

Kira Resari: If you check the dates of my Shrine Visits, you'll notice quite a number of gaps which are the days I worked on. =^,^= Oct 10 2019, 07:10 AM

Kira Resari: Not quite. I spent the last two years doing working holidays of New Zealand and Japan. =^,^= Oct 10 2019, 07:10 AM

Queen Chibi: I'm kind of curious how this works Oct 10 2019, 04:10 AM

Queen Chibi: ... so are you just wealthy enough to tour shrines or something? Oct 10 2019, 04:10 AM

Kira Resari: And today: Toyokawa, the Town of Vulpinity =^,^= Oct 08 2019, 01:10 AM

Kira Resari: Featuring today, the shrine with the highest concentrations of foxes in all of Japan: Reigitsunedsuka ~ The Spirit Fox Den =^,^= Oct 03 2019, 12:10 AM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of X-Training I with a score of 16.25! Sep 28 2019, 01:09 PM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of X-Training I with a score of 1.958! Sep 28 2019, 01:09 PM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of Nanaca Crash with a score of 3618.16! Sep 28 2019, 01:09 PM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of Knife Throw with a score of 1690! Sep 28 2019, 12:09 PM

Glacia: Samui became the new champion of Knife with a score of 32! Sep 24 2019, 09:09 PM

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Glacia: Samui became the new champion of Jewels with a score of 32985! Sep 22 2019, 11:09 PM

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Kira Resari: Twitch is another of those things that completely passed me by. I suppose I'm just an old-fashioned fox =^,~'= Sep 17 2019, 01:09 AM

Samui: I'm slowly working on an update for the main page's Twitch listing to pull channels from that field. It's a bit of a transition to an eventual overhaul. Sep 15 2019, 11:09 PM

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Glacia: Queen Chibi became the new champion of Cubefield with a score of 461760! Sep 11 2019, 04:09 AM

Kira Resari: There will be at least one web browser that is still going to support it, because people will still want to play flash games, and whatever browser supports it will get the influx of those people =^,^= Sep 11 2019, 12:09 AM

Queen Chibi: some browsers won't let you play flash games unless you have a current versions Sep 10 2019, 05:09 PM

Author Topic: The Travelling Fox in Japan  (Read 149458 times)

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #270 on: Dec 13 2018, 06:24 PM »
#261



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 小嶽神社)
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Kotake Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of Small Peak Shrine)
Location: 4 Chome-4 Ōtake, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-0322
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



I come across this little Side Shrine almost immediately after my return from Shikashima, back on Umi-no Nakamichi (海の中道 "Road in the Middle of the Sea") , the long peninsula stretching almost all the way to Shikashima and the causeway connecting it to the mainland.

This one is located at the foot of Kotake, which is officially Kyushu's lowest mountain, with a humble height of only 21m (not that the nearby Ootake (大"嶽 Big Peak"), after which this area is named, is that much higher with 35m.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #271 on: Dec 14 2018, 04:38 PM »
#262



Original Name: 稲荷大明神
Transcript: Inari Oomyoujin
Translation: Inari Great Gracious Deity
Location: 1238-2 Nata, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-0204
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



Further up the length of the peninsula along the shore, I come across this little vulpine Shrine.

This one is a Side Shrine of Shishiki Jinja (志式神社  "Planned Ceremony Shrine"), a big Shrine in the woods near the northern boundary of Fukuoka.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #272 on: Dec 16 2018, 03:48 AM »
#263



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 志式神社)
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Shishiki Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of Planned Ceremony Shrine)
Location: 1238-2 Nata, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-0204
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



A few tiny little Shrines just stand in the woods across from Shishiki Jinja.

This nameless one is one of them, yet a pair of little foxies clearly designate it as an Inari Shrine.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #273 on: Dec 16 2018, 05:57 PM »
#264



Original Name: 正一位稲荷大明神
Transcript: Shouichii Inari Oomyoujin
Translation: Highest-Ranking Inari Great Gracious Deity
Location: 1238-2 Nata, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-0204
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



Another of the Tiny Inari Shrines in the woods. This on is the only one that has a name.

Actually, I get the feeling that the 正一位 (Shouichii "Highest-Ranking") is only an embellishment, as I've seen it in front of Shrine names all over Japan, and not just on Inari Shrines. Interestingly, it mostly appears on tiny Shrines like this one. I wonder if they're compensating for something.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #274 on: Dec 18 2018, 01:14 AM »
#265



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 志式神社)
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Shishiki Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of Planned Ceremony Shrine)
Location: 1238-2 Nata, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-0204
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



Another nameless little shrine in the woods next to Shishiki Jinja.

Yet this one is special, or rather, I should make it special, to me and me alone.

It is in this little Shrine that I fulfil one of the goals of my journey, and to explain that, I will have to do a bit of exposition: You see, after finishing my study of Game Design in 2012, I started working for a Facebook Games company by the name of MegaZebra. It was my first long-term work experience, and thus it took me a while to realize that the conditions there were rather abusive seen from an objective perspective. Despite other employees quitting after 18 months on average, I managed to last three-and-a-half years before the continuous mental cruelty imposed on me by management and its lackeys had me ready for the nut house. I spent six weeks in therapy, during which MegaZebra tried to unlawfully fire me. Having anticipated as much, I let my lawyer handle things from there, and ended up with an agreement that had the company pay me for several more months and then see me off with an adequate severance package. It was precisely after that, in 2016, that my travels – and with it the Travelling Fox Blog – should begin.

Now then, it was during my time in therapy that I carved a little fox statue, taking the Japanese fox statues found at Inari Shrines as an example. Naturally, I inadvertently chose a particularly hard stone, and as thus my progress was limited, and the result not very artisan, but it was something, and that's all it needed to be. I kept that little fox at home during my time in New Zealand, but took it with me on my Journey to Japan, carrying it around all the way, up until now.

I have been meaning to give this little fox a home at one of the Shrines here, but it took me a while to find the right one. It had to be a remote, rural Shrine where even a crude little carving such as mine would be welcome as part of the family, and now, here in Fukuoka, I finally find a Shrine like that while also carrying the carving around and thinking of it at just the right time. And so, I take a minute to pour all my wishes, hopes and dreams into the little carving, and then send it off to Inari, so it may join the other foxes in their family. I dearly hope my prayers will reach her.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #275 on: Dec 18 2018, 04:59 PM »
#266



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 東漸寺)
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Touzenji)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of East Advancing Temple)
Location: Minato, Shingu, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture 811-0116
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



Further up along the long coast, this tiny vulpine Shrine is located next to a Buddhist Temple.

This one is actually already outside of the Fukuoka City boundaries, within the next town of Shingu (新宮 "New Hall").
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #276 on: Dec 19 2018, 05:03 PM »
#267



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 磯崎神社)
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Isozaki Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of Seashore Cape Shrine)
Location: Shingu, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture 811-0115
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



Another little vulpine Shrine found in Shingu. This one is pretty much located at the northernmost point of my tour today.

However, thanks to another Day Trip on which my host would take me, this should not yet be the northernmost fox Shrine I should visit on Kyushu, but more about that later.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #277 on: Dec 20 2018, 10:52 PM »
#268



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 白川恵比須神社 )
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Shirakawa Ebisu Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of White River Ebisu Shrine)
Location: 33.687123, 130.440547
Visited on: 16-Oct-2018



The final vulpine Shrine I should find on my tour around northern Fukuoka on 16-Oct-2018. By now, it's already quite late, and I'm somewhat in a rush to get home. Combine that with a longer exposure time due to limited light - especially in the woods - and blurry pictures are the result. Sorry about that =^,~'=

The main Shrine of this one is dedicated to Ebisu, the God of Fishing, and one of the Shichi Fukujin (七福神 "7 Lucky Gods"), which you can find all over the country. Also, the interesting terrain further to the south is a golf course stretching across the top of the forested hill.
« Last Edit: Dec 20 2018, 10:59 PM by Kira Resari »
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #278 on: Dec 21 2018, 05:40 PM »
#269



Original Name: 奥之宮稲荷神社
Transcript: Okunomiya Inari Jinja
Translation: Innermost Hall Inari Shrine
Location: 7-1 Miyaji Motomachi, 宮司元町 Fukutsu-shi, Fukuoka-ken 811-3309
Visited on: 21-Oct-2018



The one vulpine Shrine I should find during a family trip with my host up to Miyajidake Jinja (宮地嶽神社 "Hall Ground Peak Shrine"), one of the Shrines in Japan who claims to have the thickest Shimenawa. It is also famous for having a straight axis road to the ocean, so on two days each year you can see the sun setting in the sea from the stairs of the Shrine on the opposing mountain.

As for the Inari Shrine - which may or may not be counted as a Side Shrine of Miyajidake Jinja - this one is also pretty special, featuring not only a painting of a white fox inside, but also an unusual custom fox statuette which I am pretty certain sports a total of five tails, making this one of the very few depictions of multi-tailed foxes I should come across at Shrines. Also, this one should end up being the northernmost Inari Shrine I would visit on Kyushu.
« Last Edit: Dec 21 2018, 05:42 PM by Kira Resari »
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #279 on: Dec 22 2018, 05:53 PM »
#270



Original Name: ? (Side Shrine of 松ノ森稲荷神社 )
Transcript: ? (Side Shrine of Matsu-no Mori Inari Jinja)
Translation: ? (Side Shrine of Forest of Pines Inari Shrine)
Location: 7 Chome-6 Yoshizuka, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0041
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



The first of many  vulpine Shrines I should find during my last and ultimate exploration of Fukuoka, this one leading me into the very heart of the city itself by bike. I should come to think of this one as the "Wheel of Time"-shrine, since it harbours not only foxes, but also snakes.

This one is also the closest vulpine Shrine I should find to the airport of Fukuoka, which is located in the middle of the city and the beginning of the runway can be seen in the bottom right corner of the location map.

Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #280 on: Dec 23 2018, 05:46 PM »
#271



Original Name: 琴姫大明神
Transcript: Kotohime Oomyoujin
Translation: Harp Princess Great Gracious Deity
Location: 〒812-0043, 3 Chome-8-2 Katakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0043
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



I find this very vulpine Shrine just across from the main train line cutting through the city of Fukuoka, not far away from Hakata Station, which happens to be the central station of Fukuoka.

There are foxes both inside and out, with two of the outside ones being made of a peculiar metallic make that I can't say I have seen before.



« Last Edit: Dec 23 2018, 05:49 PM by Kira Resari »
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #281 on: Dec 24 2018, 05:44 PM »
#272



Original Name: 丸山神社
Transcript: Maruyama Jinja
Translation: Round Mountain Shrine
Location: 〒812-0043, 3 Chome-8-2 Katakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0043
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



A Side Shrine of Kotohime Oomyoujin, featuring a number of foxes inside.

Interestingly, despite its name, there is not a single mountain-like mound anywhere in sight.



Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #282 on: Dec 25 2018, 06:27 PM »
#273



Original Name: 玄徳稲荷神社
Transcript: Gentoku Inaka Jinja
Translation: Mystic Virtue Inari Shrine
Location: 1 Chome-21-24 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0044
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



A moderately sized Inari Shrine in the heart of Fukuoka. It even features a few non-vulpine Side Shrines.

Two rather new fox guardians watch over the main entrance, while a pair of older ones can be found in the back. I suppose they must have been the current guardians' predecessors, and are now happily enjoying their retirement together. They even look like grandparents. =^,^=



Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #283 on: Dec 26 2018, 06:15 PM »
#274



Original Name: 瑜伽稲荷神社
Transcript: Yuga Inari Jinja
Translation: Yoga Inari Shrine
Location: 8 Taihakumachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0033
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



Getting closer to the extensive port district of Fukuoka, I come across this little Shrine cramped between two houses and a garage.

The most prominent feature is a big Buddhist Jizou standing to one side, but a closer look also reveal  pair of little foxes watching over the Shrine.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.

Offline Kira Resari

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Re: The Travelling Fox in Japan
« Reply #284 on: Dec 27 2018, 06:13 PM »
#275



Original Name: 荒木田稲荷社
Transcript: Arakida Inari Yashiro
Translation: Wild Tree Field Inari Shrine
Location: 1 Chome-15-4 Tenjin, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 810-0001
Visited on: 25-Oct-2018



Located within the city centre of Fukuoka,  this one is a Side Shrine of the apparently locally famous Suikyou Tenmangu (水鏡天満宮 "Water Mirror Tenmangu").

The two foxes standing watch on the outside are already pretty badly weathered, but the four on the inside are still in pretty good shape. I guess even for foxes an indoors job is more desirable.
Chase your dream.
Or your dram will chase you.