Foxworship

Fox-worship a species of idolatry practiced only among the Japanese, who seem to be in doubt as to whether the fox is a god or a devil. If a Japanese feels himself in need of supernatural aid, he sets out a platter of rice and beans as an offering to his fox, and if on the following day some of it has disappeared, this is looked upon as a favorable omen. There are in Japan two species of foxes, very much like the ordinary foxes of Europe and America, and, from the immunity they enjoy, they are great nuisances. See Gardner, Faiths of the World, s.v.