Print from the Inari shrine at Matsue with two foxes, two serpents, inscriptions and two red stamps. [SM 16/10/2008]

Collection type: Object
Description: Print from the Inari shrine at Matsue with two foxes, two serpents, inscriptions and two red stamps. [SM 16/10/2008]
Long description: Print from the Inari shrine at Matsue with two foxes, two serpents, inscriptions and two red stamps. One fox is black, the other is white and between them is a red stamp. There are two serpents, one has a branch with leaves in its mouth, the other has a piece of bent ?wire or similar. Above the serpents is an octagonal red stamp with an inscription in it with inscriptions in black on either side of the octagonal stamp. [SM 16/10/2008]
Geographical reference: Japan
Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan; Honshu Shimane Prefecture Matsue
Cultural groups: Japanese
Person: Field collector (Patricio) Lafcadio (Tessima Carlos) Hearn; PRM source Basil Hall Chamberlain
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1890
Date collected: 1890
Acquisition information: Donated: 1908
Materials and processes: Material Ink, Material Paper Plant, Material Pigment, Process Printed, Process Stamped
Dimensions: Width: max 210 mm, Length: max 286 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1908.82.362 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 215
Research and responses: On 27 June 2003 Sekiko Matsuzaki-Petitmengin examined the Chamberlain collection, including this object, which was then incorrectly numbered 1908.82.804 [ZM 06/03/2013]
During a research visit in November 2008 Itaru Chijiwa, Professor of History at Kokugakuin University in Japan, examined this object when it was incorrectly numbered 1908.82.804 and noted the amulet was from Matsue jonai inari, in Shimane Prefecture. [ZM 06/03/2013]
During a research visit in December 2010 Itaru Chijiwa, Professor of History at Kokugakuin University in Japan, examined this object when it was incorrectly numbered 1908.82.804 and noted this type of amulet is usually pasted to a wall inside the home. [ZM 06/03/2013]
The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2012 as: “Mastue jonai Inari jinja”, Inari shrine in Matsue Castle, Similar to 1908.82.802 [MJD 16/10/2012]
The imagery of the two foxes and two serpents are on all of the following in the Chamberlain collection, 1908.82.264, 300, 301, 362, 363 and 802. Itaru Chijiwa, Professor of History at Kokugakuin University in Japan, examined all of these during a research visit in March 2013 and explained: The pair of foxes are messengers of the Shinto god Inari, the serpents are shown with three bundles of rice both of these are symbols of money and wealth. These are amulets for a profitable business or good harvest. 1908.82.264, 362 and 363 are all from Matsue so Lafcadio Hearn probably collected these for Basil Chamberlain. In Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (1895) Hearn described ofuda from Matsue with the two foxes facing each other in a sitting position, one black and one white, each with a bunch of rice-straw in its mouth as charms against fire. Professor Chijiwa noted Hearn is the only person to associate these with protection against fire. The other three, 1908.82.300, 301 and 802 are from Kyoto. [ZM 06/03/2013]
Associated publications: This object is illustrated on page 92 of Japanese Amulet Culture. Shinto Culture Series No. 35, edited by Itaru Chijiwa, Tokyo 2010 (Koubundou Publishers). A copy of this book is in the Balfour Library. [El.B 01/04/2011] [Note when this was published the object was incorrectly numbered 1908.82.804. [ZM 06/03/2013]

Search terms: Writing, Religion, Picture and Graphic Art, Print, Inscription, Document, Amulet, Religious Object