1.
Inari; deity of rice, harvest, and prosperity
A major deity in Shinto, associated with rice, agriculture, fertility, and business success. Foxes serve as Inari's messengers, which is why fox statues are found at Inari shrines.
商売繁盛を願って稲荷さまに手を合わせた。
I prayed to Inari for business prosperity.
稲荷の使いは狐だと言われている。
Foxes are said to be the messengers of Inari.
2.
Inari shrine
A shrine dedicated to the Inari deity. Recognizable by their red torii gates and fox statues. There are roughly 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan.
稲荷神社にお参りした。
I visited an Inari shrine.
京都の伏見稲荷は千本鳥居で有名だ。
Fushimi Inari in Kyoto is famous for its thousands of torii gates.
3.
inari sushi; sushi rice in a fried tofu pouch
Short for いなり寿司. A type of sushi made by stuffing vinegared rice into a pouch of sweetly seasoned fried tofu. Named after the Inari deity because foxes are said to love fried tofu.
お弁当に稲荷ずしを入れた。
I put inari sushi in the lunch box.
子どもの頃から甘い稲荷ずしが大好きだった。
I've loved sweet inari sushi ever since I was a child.
CULTURAL NOTES:
Inari is one of the most widely worshipped deities in Japan. 伏見稲荷大社 in Kyoto is the head shrine and one of Japan's most visited tourist sites. Inari shrines are easily identified by their 赤い鳥居 (red torii gates) and 狐の像 (fox statues).
The connection between Inari and fried tofu (油揚げ) comes from the belief that foxes love 油揚げ, which is why the sushi wrapped in fried tofu is called 稲荷ずし.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 稲荷神社 (Inari shrine)
- 稲荷ずし (inari sushi)
- お稲荷さん (affectionate term for Inari or inari sushi)
- 伏見稲荷 (Fushimi Inari, the most famous Inari shrine)