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Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Stone foxes, messengers of Inari, guard the shrine. Other shrines may be guarded by "foo dogs," archers, etc. depending on the type of shrine. Inari shrines, though, are always guarded by pairs of foxes. The fox on the right holds a ball in his mouth, a symbol of the god. The fox on the left holds a scroll, symbolizing a message from the god. In nature, foxes destroy rodents that otherwise would consume the rice crop. Inari foxes, however, are said to enjoy fried bean curd.
The red "bib" on these foxes is a sign of benevolent divinity which also appears on Buddha statues and other shrine deities (see Asakusa Kannon Temple for another example). In Japanese folklore, foxes can also be malevolent spirits. Sometimes they even take the form of beautiful women, in order to lure unsuspecting wanderers to their deaths. So foxes can be considered either protective or harmful, depending on context.
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