There are twelve animal signs used as symbols for each year. They were introduced in Japan around the third to fourth century AD from ancient China. 2023 is the year of the Rabbit!
Since olden times, rabbits have been considered servants of guardian god. Because the dedicated god and goddness were blessed with children and rabbits are prolific, Okazaki shrine is also believed to house the god and goddness of childbirth. So, this Okazaki shrine precincts contain many sculptures of rabbits.
