My name is [Male]. [Insert name explanation here.] I'm an ordinary Japanese man, living in an ordinary home, working an ordinary office job. But, at the end of the day, I don't really mind being ordinary. After so many years, I've learned that life has a way or working out. All it takes is a bit of faith.

Today is New Year's day, and while I frequent the local shrine regularly, I'm here today at the Fushimi Inari-taisha for my hatsumode, or first shrine visit of the year. I've always wanted to go; there's something charming about the Inari foxes. As I passed through the Senbon torii alongside the other visitors, my mind begins to wander. It almost feels like I'm passing through to another reality.

I continue my hike as I pass by several smaller shrines along the path. My goal is to reach the summit and the Honden. It's only a thirty minute walk, surrounded by the greenery of the mountain, the reds of the torii, and the bustle of people.

Wait, where did the crowd of people go? Suddenly, the path has thinned out and I'm the only one around. This doesn't often happen on a day like today. To the side of the path, I hear a rustle, and a fox dashes out and across the path in front of me, pausing a moment to look at me before bounding off into the woods on the other side. What a lucky event! Thinking little more of it, and hearing people approaching from behind, I continue on my walk up the summit steps, through more rows of torii.

At last, at the summit shrine. Time to purchase things! Delicious food, a few omamori, and of course the yearly fortune. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this part, but fortune is fortune. There's no reason to 'carefully select one' if it's truly preordained. Snatching one at random, I headed over to a nearby bench to unwrap it. "Dai-kichi". Great fortune. This is the first year I've received one! Usually it is between small fortune and bad fortune.

Moving to the aspects, three together catch my eye. "One's desire/wish", "A waiting person", and "Romantic relationships". Interestingly, marriage is not listed, and neither is travel. Work keeps me busy, so do I have time for romance? But if they are waiting, should I be seeking them? As I sit there pondering the meaning and how it all fits together, I grow more frustrated. Perhaps it's as simple as just having a single desire and having it granted.

I get up and head over to the shrine to pray. As I wait in line, I look around at the Inari fox statues, and think back on the random encounter with the fox in the woods. Foxes are such beautiful animals. I wonder if an Inari goddess is more fox than human, or more human that fox. Being a goddess, she's undoubtedly beautiful in any case.

A strange idea crosses my mind, as I ponder my wish. My turn approaches and I bow and make my prayer. /I wish to bed with an Inari goddess./ If my fortune is truly great, I will have a good year regardless of my wish. And besides, now I'm curious. What does an Inari goddess truly look like?

My shrine visit concluded, I head down the back path, another thirty minute walk, and take the train back home. It was a breathtaking trip, and well worth the extra travel time. Stripping to boxers and climbing into bed, full from the shrine food, I closed my eyes and dozed off.

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