A pair of wooden Japanese folk art Inarishrine foxes. The fox (kitsune) is the guardian spirit of the rice fields and herald-messenger (misaki) to the Shinto rice god,Inari Myôjin. Foxes are also know for their magical abilities, which they occasionally use to be tricksters on humans.One of the wood figures with his mouth slightly open, one with its mouth closed, mouthing the phrase A-Un. A-Un is a Sanskrit term adopted by Buddhism, which refers to the allencompassing nature and knowledge of Buddha and of Yin-Yang opposition and interdependence. Each of the foxes with a Jewel of wish fufillment (hojunotama) balancedon their tails. Meiji Period (1868-1912) Each 6" tall
