Fox Tolls
Components and tools
Throughout Japan, though most notably within the Red Maple District, there are many dozens (perhaps hundreds) of shrines and altars to Hikaru Vulapin, God of Foxes. In sacred areas, these shrines often act as markers around their borders, particularly near their entrances, and as gathering points for offerings around much larger shrines where giving an offering may interrupt the shrine's services or block flow of traffic. These smaller border shrines and altars are often referred to as 'tolls'- places for visitors to drop off their offerings on their way into the larger shrines or at the end of their services.
Within the Red Maple District itself, there are tolls on either side of the street set up specifically for those driving in and out of the area to give their offerings without leaving their vehicle, which open during crossing signals where cars cannot pass. Generally, when entering the district via vehicle, passage will be blocked by some kind of barrier in order to allow for pedestrians to cross safely.
Observance
It is considered to be good luck to give an offering whenever one passes a fox toll, especially when entering or leaving the Red Maple District. Generally, offerings are of small value coins, and considered a way for the community to exchange loose coins easily, though currency is not a required offering. Fox tolls will accept any item and the shrines are emptied frequently through the day and at regular intervals, ensuring they do not overflow or that food items are not allowed to spoil the shrine.
Other common offerings to the shrines include hard candies, fall leaves, clothing, jewelry, travel tickets (such as used bus passes, receipts, or airport travel tags), and seasonal decorations following their respective holidays. One tradition within the Red Maple District considers it to be extremely bad luck to not give an offering of some kind when one is leaving the area for extended periods, such as vacations, when moving from the region, or other long trips- any period one will be away for a week or more. This superstition states that if one doesn't make an offering, or one of good enough value to the shrine, the person(s) may be cursed with bad luck by Hikaru while they are away, with good luck only returning upon coming back to the shrine and correcting their mistake thrice.
Primary Related Location
Related Organizations
Comments