​Inunari Fox (2017)

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In the Orient, the fox has a mysterious image. Also bearer of this image, the Inari fox serves as the motif of this work. According to Fushimi Inari Taisha, there seem to be approximately 30,000 Inari shrines, and it is no exaggeration to say that Japan is the most faithful country towards the fox. The fox of Inari is derived from the story that Kukai encouraged Dakini (an Indian god) to ride on a fox, but originally, Dakini was associated to canines like jackals or wolves. The Egyptian god Anubis could be called the most ancient canine god, but it is possible to find connections and similarities with the Inari fox throughout Dakini legends and world myths.

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In this work, I expressed the relationship of such an Inari fox. In addition to using the face of Anubis as a motif, the fox is wrapped by a bandage, representing the fact that Anubis is an expert of mummy making. It also bears the symbol of a snake, which is also connected to Inari Daimyojin.

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Mediums: acrylic on paper

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