Foxes (kitsune) appear at a large proportion of Japanese Shinto shrines and even some Buddhist temples within the country. In Japanese culture, they are seen as cunning and intelligent; they are believed to possess magical abilities. They are also understood to be the messenger of of the Shinto god Inari Omikami, also known as Oinari, who is the god of fertility, rice, tea, sake (rice wine), agriculture, industry and prosperity. Busy Inari has further roles as patron of swordsmiths, blacksmiths and merchants, and of some companies such as the cosmetic company Shiseido, as well as protector of warriors. More than one third of Shinto shrines are dedicated to Inari, and fox statues (as well as multiple bright orange/vermilion torii gates) are signs of the shrine being an Inari shrine. This example is seen at Fukutoki Inari Jinja on the San-in coast just north of Shimonoseki city (but within the boundaries of the Shimonoseki City administrative area), in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
