In which kind of person does Inari deity have interest?

It is often said that a deity follows a person who believes in Shintoism.

How does a deity follow his/her believer? It may be a story of the greatest interest to the worshippers.

A friend of mine has believed in Inari Shintoism for 40 years or so. When his grandsons visited his house, they said, "A fox is flying in grandpa's house!", looking up at the ceiling. They saw a big white fox flying below the ceiling and drawing a circle. They are now grown men and cannot see anything anymore.

I have believed in Inari Shintoism for a long time, too, and family members sometimes see a giant creature like a fox in rooms about once a month, though we don't have any pets. Only its tail and behind are seen to hide quickly in the shadow, but its face has been unseen yet.

They say it is an animal like a big white dog or fox with a hairy tail. They used to yell out loud every time they saw it.

This creature is not a deity but a messenger("Ken-zoku" in Japanese). It is said to be a deity's apprentice in the shape of a fox in religious training, who tells his master what kind of business the family runs and what they wish. My family and I often say to the air, "My dear messenger, thank you as always."

I think it is pure-hearted and faithful persons who can see the messengers. Although most of them are pre-school children, adults above 50 years old can see them in my house.

My family members see the creature mainly within one week after visiting Ganriki-san Shrine, during which they were talking to each other about something important.

KATO

※The image is for illustration purposes.