Inari Ōkami — Rice, Prosperity and the Fox Messengers
Inari Ōkami — Rice, Prosperity and the Fox Messengers
Inari Ōkami is a major kami of rice, harvest, prosperity, commerce and industry, closely associated with fox messengers.
Related: Ame-no-Uzume · Inari Ōkami · Izanagi & Izanami · Raijin · Susanoo · Gods & Pantheons
Inari Ōkami is one of Japan’s most widely revered kami, associated especially with rice, harvests, prosperity, commerce and industry. Inari traditions vary across time and place, and the kami is not confined to one fixed human appearance or gender.
Inari is often portrayed as a beneficent deity who blesses her followers with prosperity and abundance, particularly in matters related to agriculture and commerce. As the patron of rice farmers, Inari is closely associated with the success of the harvest, and is often depicted holding a sheaf of rice or surrounded by foxes, who are considered to be her messengers.
Foxes are closely associated with Inari, but they are messengers of Inari rather than the kami itself. Fox statues commonly guard Inari shrines, marking the link between the divine power of the shrine and its messengers.
Inari’s role in Japanese mythology reflects a deep connection to the land and its fertility. As a deity who oversees the growth of crops and the prosperity of the people, she is a powerful force for good in the lives of her followers. Her worship is characterized by deep devotion and reverence, and her followers strive to embody the qualities of abundance, generosity, and compassion that she represents.
Inari has no single universal physical form. Artistic and devotional traditions may present the kami in different ways, while rice, grain, shrine imagery and white fox messengers remain among the most recognisable signs of Inari worship.
Inari’s sacred concerns centre on rice, harvest, prosperity, commerce and industry. Shrine traditions vary widely, but abundance, sustenance and successful endeavour remain at the heart of Inari worship.
- Pantheon: Japanese Shinto pantheon
- Deity Title: Inari Ōkami, kami of rice, harvest, prosperity, commerce and industry
- Deity Symbol: Ears of rice or a fox
- Sacred Presence: Inari shrines, rice fields, storehouses, workshops and places of prosperity
- Deity Level: Greater deity
- Alignment: Neutral good
- Aliases: Oinari, Ukanomitama, Ta-no-Kami, and others Superior: None
- Traditional Allies: Uka-no-Mitama, Uzume, Izanagi
- Traditional Foes: No single universal enemy defines Inari worship
- Divine Artifact: None
- Messengers: Foxes, especially the white fox imagery associated with Inari shrines
- Servitor Creatures: None
- Sacred Association: Foxes serve as divine messengers rather than being Inari itself
- Manifestations: Foxes, grain, the number three
- Signs of Favor: Bumper crop, success in business or fertility, healthy foxes
- Worshipers: Farmers, merchants, businessmen, and commoners
- Cleric Alignments: Neutral good, lawful good, chaotic good
- Priesthood: Shrine priests and attendants serving local Inari traditions
- Holy Days: Festival observances vary by shrine and local tradition
- Portfolio: Agriculture, fertility, foxes, industry, and success
- Domains: Good, Magic, Plant, Protection, Trickery
- Favored Weapon: Wakizashi (short sword)
- Favored Class: Cleric
- Favored Race: Humans and Kitsune
- Duties of the Priesthood: Taking care of shrines, performing rituals and festivals, leading the community
- Major Cult/Temple Sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Yutoku Inari Shrine, Toyokawa Inari Shrine, and others
- Benefits: Grants spells and powers to followers, protection from evil and misfortune, good fortune in business, fertility, and agriculture.
Inari Ōkami — D&D 5e Statblock
Medium deity, neutral good
| Statistic | Score |
|---|---|
| Strength | 30 (+10) |
| Dexterity | 30 (+10) |
| Constitution | 30 (+10) |
| Intelligence | 30 (+10) |
| Wisdom | 30 (+10) |
| Charisma | 30 (+10) |
Armor Class 40 (Divine Armor)
Hit Points 1,000 (100d10 + 500)
Speed 120 ft. (hover)
Skills Perception +30, Stealth +30, Survival +30
Senses Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 40
Languages All
Divine Traits
- Immune to exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
- Resistance to all damage types
- Cannot be charmed or frightened
- Cannot be killed by non-divine means
Actions
Multiattack She can make 4 attacks per round, choosing from any of the following options:
- Divine Strike. Melee weapon attack: +30 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 100 (10d10 + 10) slashing damage plus 100 (10d10 + 10) radiant damage.
- Bite. Melee weapon attack: +30 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 80 (8d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 20 (2d10) fire damage.
- Tail Whip. Melee weapon attack: +30 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 70 (7d10 + 10) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Foxfire Blast. Ranged spell attack: +30 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 150 (20d10) fire damage.
Legendary Actions She can take 3 legendary actions per round, choosing from any of the following options:
- Summon Foxes. Inari summons 2d4 foxes to fight on their behalf. These foxes disappear when killed or after 1 hour.
- Blinding Radiance. Inari unleashes a burst of radiant energy, blinding all creatures within 60 ft. that can see it. Affected creatures must make a DC 30 Constitution saving throw or be blinded for 1 minute.
- Vanishing Trick. Inari teleports up to 120 ft. to an unoccupied space they can see. They can use this action to dodge, disengage, or hide.
Sacred Attributes
- Rice and Grain. Harvest, sustenance and prosperity are central signs of Inari’s power.
- White Fox Messengers. Fox imagery marks the presence and service of Inari’s messengers at shrines and sacred places.
Divine Domains
- Nature. Control over animals, plants, and weather.
- Life. Healing and restoration.
- Trickery. Deception, illusions, and misdirection.
Lair Actions
When fighting in their lair, Inari can take the following actions at the end of another creature’s turn:
- **Fox Form** Inari transforms into a fox, gaining advantage on Dexterity checks and attacks. They can also move through any space as if it were difficult terrain.
- Bountiful Harvest. Inari causes the ground to shake, producing an abundance of crops and food. Any creatures within 60 ft. must make a DC 30 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Regional Effects
- The region surrounding Inari’s domain is affected by their presence in the following ways:
- Foxes Everywhere. Foxes are abundant in the area, and they are friendly towards Inari and their followers. They may assist in gathering food, tracking prey, or performing other tasks.
- Bountiful Crops. The land is fertile and produces an abundance of crops, making agriculture a prosperous and respected profession.
- Nature’s Blessing. Animals in the region are healthy and well-fed, and natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and storms are rare. The people living in the region have a deep respect for the balance of nature and strive to live in harmony with it.
- Challenge Rating: 35 (350,000 XP)
- In play, Inari is a powerful divine patron of harvest, prosperity and successful endeavour. Encounters should emphasize sacred land, abundance, protection, fox messengers and the consequences of threatening communities under Inari’s care.