Japan Rare Pair Hand Carved Stone Inari Fox Kitsune, Old Inari Shrine
$1,550.00
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Small is beautiful.
A pair (2) that is rarely offered.
Japan, a fine pair of hand carved granite stone Inari fox kitsune carved in a pleasing simple Art Deco manner, Taisho period.
This pair was clearly displayed in a shrine at one time in their life.
Dimensions: Each is 5.25 inches tall and 3 inches wide
Provenance: Private Tokyo garden collection
Wonderful sinuous castings, superb original old patina, unusual opportunity. Surface patina from appropriate age.
History:
Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. According to Yo¯kai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shape shift into men or women. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others as foxes in folklore often do other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers and wives.
Foxes and human beings lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit and serve as its messengers. This role has reinforced the fox’s supernatural significance. The more tails a kitsune has they may have as many as nine the older, wiser and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a Shinto deity.
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden Association.
Our gallery based in Newport, Rhode Island USA has been dealing in authentic Pre-Columbian, Japanese and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels across America as well as Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.
Item Details
- Dimensions: N/A
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