 Kitsune are associated with Inari , the Shinto deity of rice . This association has reinforced the fox 's supernatural significance . Originally , kitsune were Inari 's messengers , but the line between the two is now blurred so that Inari Ōkami may be depicted as a fox . Likewise , entire shrines are dedicated to kitsune , where devotees can leave offerings . Fox spirits are said to be particularly fond of a fried sliced tofu called aburage , which is accordingly found in the noodle @-@ based dishes kitsune udon and kitsune soba . Similarly , Inari @-@ zushi is a type of sushi named for Inari Ōkami that consists of rice @-@ filled pouches of fried tofu . There is speculation among folklorists as to whether another Shinto fox deity existed in the past . Foxes have long been worshipped as kami . 
 Kitsune are associated with Inari , the Shinto deity of rice . This association <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> reinforced the fox <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>supernatural significance . Originally , kitsune <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> Inari <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>messengers , but the line between the two is now blurred so that Inari Ōkami may be depicted as a fox . Likewise , entire shrines are dedicated to kitsune , where devotees can leave offerings . Fox spirits are said to be particularly fond of a fried sliced tofu called aburage , which is accordingly found in the noodle @-@ based dishes kitsune udon and kitsune soba . Similarly , Inari @-@ zushi <a href='drop_aux' title='5'><mark>is</mark></a>a type of sushi named for Inari Ōkami <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>consists</mark></a> of rice @-@ filled pouches of fried tofu . <a href='dey_it' title='8'><mark>There</mark></a> is speculation among folklorists as to whether another Shinto fox deity existed in the past . Foxes <a href='been_done' title='9'><mark>have</mark></a> long been worshipped as kami . 
Kitsune r associated with Inari , the Shinto deity of rice . dis association done reinforced the fox  supernatural significance . Originally , kitsune was Inari  messengers , but da line between tdatwo is now blurred so dat Inari Ōkami may be depicted as a fox . Likewise , entire shrines are dedicated to kitsune , where devotees can leave offerings . Fox spirits arraid to be particularly fond of a fried sliced tofu called aburage , which is accordingly found in the noodle @-@ based dishes kitsune udon and kitsune soba . Similarly , Inari @-@ zushi a type of sushi named fir Inari Ōkami consist of rice @-@ filled pouches of fried tofu . It is speculation among folklorists as to whether another Shinto fox deity existed in thdaast . Foxes done long been worshipped as kami .