A pair of fok art Japanese wooden Inari shrine foxes. The fox (kitsune) is the guardian spirit of the rice fields and herald-messenger (misaki) to the Shinto rice god, Inari Myôjin. One of the gesso covered wood figures with his mouth slightly open possibly originally holding a treasure house (kura) key, one with its mouth closed, together mouthing the phrase A-Un. A-Un is a Sanskrit term adopted by Buddhism, which refers to the all encompassing nature and knowledge of Buddha and of Yin-Yang opposition and interdependence. The pair with a dark patina from smoke and age. With missing tails, losses to gesso and damage from age. 18th-19th century Each 6½" tall
