THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE

• Page 1 Who is Oinari-san?, The Deity Enshrined in Fushimi Inari Today, Veneration for Ancestors, Kannnabi, Faith of Dragon and Serpent, Innari no Ohkami: Mixture of Veneration and Faith of Rice Cultivating, Uka no Mitiama and Fox
• Page 2 Oinari-san and Dakini Ten, Dakini Ten, Oinari-san became popular, Goriyaku of Oinari-san, Bibliography

The following is the contents of this article.

Who is Oinari-san? Uka no Mitama no Kami, Dakini Ten, and Fox 宇迦之御魂神、荼枳尼天、狐さんとは？

Overview

Fushimi Inari Taisha is well-known for its Torii Gates globally but it is a place enshrines “Oinari-san (お稲荷さん)” demestically. Oinari-san is also known as “Inari no Kami,” one of the most popular deities in Japan.

Oinari-san is an ambiguous word due to the complicated religious situation we have: Shinbutsu-Shgo. In this circumstance, Shinto and Buddhist deities had been fused for over 1,600 years. They were separated in the 17th century “in terms of law” but the fusion is still alive.

Who is Oinari-san? There could be various answers and the following is popular ones:

The superordinate

The Deity Enshrined in Fushimi Inari Today 現在の伏見稲荷大社の稲荷大神五柱

The Five Dities 五座相殿

As stated before, Oinari-san is an superordinate. First, I’ll show you Oinari-san enshrined in Fushimi Inari today, then I’ll describe her evolution chronologically.

Fushimi Inari declares that it enshrines “Inari (no) Ohkami(稲荷大神)” consists of five deities: Uka no Mitama no Kami (宇迦之御魂神), Satahiko no Ohkami (佐田彦大神), Ohmiya no Me no Ohkami (大宮能売大神), Tanaka no Ohkami (田中大神), and Shi no Ohkami (四大神). The first three deities has been enshrined since the 8th century and the others were added in 1438.

Uka no Mitama no Kami 宇迦之御魂神

The deity of food and agriculture. Uka implies “Uke,” an ancient Japanese word means food. She is an “Omitama (Spirit) of rice cultivation. She is the most important deity of Fushimi Inari has enshrined since the 8th century. Most of all Inari shrines her. In Shinbustu Shugo, she was regarded as Kannnon. She is a female deity but some pictures belongs to Toji temple depicts her as an old man.

The sources of Japanese mythology tell us who she is.

Sata Hiko no Ohkami 佐田彦大神

In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu Ohmikami send Ninigi no Mikoto, the ancestor of the emperor, to Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni, or the archipelago known as Japan today. Sata Hiko is a deity who lead Ninigi to Japan. “Sata” is an abbreviated “Sata” that means “Sacred rice paddy.”

Ohmiya no Me no Kami 大宮能比売神

She is a guardian of place. She is a priestess who prepares a food of deities in one view.

Tanaka no Ohkami 田中大神

A deity of rice paddy.

Shi no Ohkami 四大神

A deity of four seasons.

Around 4th to 8th century: Veneration for Ancestors, Kannnabi, Faith of Dragon and Serpent 伏見稲荷の創建以前　祖霊信仰と神奈備・龍蛇信仰

The veneration for ancestors and the faith of Kannnabi 祖霊信仰と神奈備

Before Shinto was organised, there were two primitive belief: The veneration for ancestors (祖霊信仰) and the faith of Kannnabi(神奈備). I’m sure we can find the former in every single society but the latter is indigenous to Japan.

Kannnabi is a belief in places where Kami stays.

Kami is a kind of deity that our ancestors found nature or natural phenomena. For instance, mountains, woods, river, and so on.

There is a Mt. Inari behind the main hall of Fushimi Inari. It worked, and of course works, as a Kannnabi. Before the adoption of Buddhism in the 6th century, they held rituals in Kannnabi instead of shrine and Fushimi Inari is no exception.

There are several Kofun (ancient burial place) found in Mt. Inari and the excavated artifacts tells us that rituals took place at least in the 4th century.

たけちよ

Mountains are typical Kannnabi. For example, Mikage Matsuri show us what it is. Preparing for Aoi Matsuri, priests welcome brand-new born Kami and bring him to Shimoamo shrine.

Our ancestors believed the souls of their deceased antecedents stay in mountain and they visit them occasionally. And Mountains provide us with water that is essential for agriculture.

Due to these concepts, Mt Inari became the Kannnabi for the Kamo clan long time ago.

The faith of Dagon and Serpent 龍蛇信仰

In Japan, there is a link between water and serpent. And we often equate serpent with dragon. Due to these facts, we gave birth to Ryu Da Shinko (the faith of dragon and serpent).

七里ヶ浜親方

In Japan, dragons are deity or guardian of water or rain.

This belief was born before the foundation of Fushimi Inari but is still alive. One of Ofuda (A piece of paper works as a talisman) of Fushimi Inari depicts both of them and Shipo shrine in the premises enshrines them.

シカさん

In the emblem of Fushimi Inari, we can see stylized serpents.

Innari no Ohkami: Mixture of Veneration and Faith of Rice Cultivating 稲荷大神：秦氏と祖霊信仰・穀霊信仰

After the Kamo clan, the Hata clan lived around Mt. Inari and they adopted the belief in the mountain. Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki (『山背国風土記』),  the reports of ancient Japanese provincial cultures, narrates the establishment of Fushimi Inari:

”風土記に曰はく、伊奈利と稱ふは、秦中家忌寸（はたのなかつへのいみき）等が遠つ祖、伊侶具の秦公、稻粱を積みて富み裕ひき。乃ち、餅を用ちて的と為ししかば、白き鳥と化成りて飛び翔りて山の峯に居り、伊禰奈利生ひき。遂に社の名と為しき。其の苗裔に至り、先の過ちを悔いて、社の木を抜じて、家に殖ゑて祷み祭りき。今、其の木を殖ゑて蘇きば福を得、其の木を殖ゑて枯れば福あらず。”

シカさん

Summary.

七里ヶ浜親方

Rice cake is made of rice and the swan had a baby, i.e., a rice was planted. In Japanese, we could call ripe of rice “Ine ga Naru.” And Ine ga Naru can be said “Ine Naru.” Ine Naru could be “Inari.”

This sounds ridiculous and seems to be a wordplay, even for us, but we don’t dismiss it. We believe words have Kotodama (言霊) soul (I’ll write a post about it.)

Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki was compiled in the 7th century but the belief of Fushimi Inari started long time ago. In the cases of old Shinto shrines, we cannot be sure the origin or the history sometimes.

たけちよ

#1 means the veneration for ancestors、#2 and #3 means the faith on rice cultivating called “Koku Rei Shinko (穀霊信仰) , and #4 means Shirushi no Sugi (The twigs in the photo) available in Hatsu Uma Taisai (video).

Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki doesn’t reveal when Fushimi Inari was established. Nijyu Ni Sha Chushiki (『二十二社註式』), the historical record of Shinto shrines tells us it was founded in 711.

As the Fudoki describes, Fushimi inari enshrined an anonymous Kami of rice cultivating in the beginning and she became considered as Uka no Mitama no Kami, a deity in Japanese mythology.

Uka no Mitiama and Fox 宇迦之御魂神とキツネさん

The relationship between Uka no Mitama and Fox

Before 7the century, aristocrats believed that white and black foxes brought them good luck but this concept ceased to exist soon.

Around the 8th century, a brand-new belief in Foxes was imported from ancient China and became popular among the aristocrats: White foxes were symbol of good fortune. And other ideas about foxes were also imported and fused with domestic folklores.

The foxes of Fushimi Inari are white ones and Shinshi (神使) who tell us the will of deity on behalf of her.

Uka no Mitama is also known as Miketsu Kami (Kami of food for deity). It is said Miketsu resembles Miketsune (Three foxes) and the facet implies the relationship between them but I suspect it is an excuse. There must be another story.

The common reasons for the relationship:

In addition to it, Nihonkoku Genpo Zenaku Ryoiki (『日本国現報善悪霊異記』), the compilation of Buddhist stories in the 9th century, implies the relationship was familliar.

I suppose the behavior of foxes (#1 and 2 in the first tips) and the implication of The faith of Dagon and Serpent (#2 in the second tips) played a critical role for the relationship. Generally speaking, the foxes in Inari shrines detest dogs. I suppose #1 in the second tips is one of the reasons.

According to Japanese mythology, Amaterasu Ohomikami (天照大神) ordered Ninigi no Mikoto (瓊瓊杵尊) to rule Ashihara Nakatsu Kuni (葦原中津国), namely Japan. Ninigi no Mikoto is a grandson of Amaterasu Ohomikami and a great-grand father of emperor Jinmu, the first emperor of Japan.

When he left Takama no Hara, she gave him the Imperial Regalia of Japan: Yatano Kagami (八咫鏡), Yasaka Ni no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉), and Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙剣). We call them “三種の神器(Sansyu no Shinki/ Ginki)”, or the Three Sacred Treasures. Emperors inherited them from his predecessor when he was enthroned. (There are some exceptions. I’ll show you later.)

The treasures are Goshintai individually. Goshintai is an object where Kami(s) stay. They used to be stored in the Imperial Court. As stated in Kogo Shui (古語拾遺), the historical record compiled in the 9th century, the mirror and sword were decided to be ehshrined in Ise shrine and Atsuta Jingu shrine individually In the 3rd century. At the time, Katashiro of these two treasures were made.

Katashiro is a kind of replica. They have the same spirit and sacredness as the authentic ones and plays the same role. They are treated as the authentic ones.

When Minamoto no Yoritomo ousted the Heishi from Kyoto. They escaped to the battle fields with emperor Antoku and the Katashiros. In 1185, at the downfall of the Heishi, they were sunk in Dan no Ura sea with the emperor. Samurais of Genji found boxes of the mirror and Jewel floating on the sea and Minamoto no Yoshitsune managed to retrieve them but the sword sunk in the sea.

Hoagn Biiki, the sentiment Japanese love 判官贔屓につき英語で説明

Hogan Biiki (判官贔屓) is a sentiment Japanese people love and it has been passed down from generation to generation without awareness.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2026.08.31

たけちよ

Check this out.

The places they are stored today:

Yata no Kagami 八咫鏡

One day, discourteous behaviors of Susanoh no Mikoto (素戔嗚尊) made Amaterasu made  Ohomikami furious. She hided herself into a cave called Ame no Iwato/ Ama no Iwato and put a huge rock in front of it. She is a Kami (Shinto deity) of the sun and the world lost its light.

Other Kamis in Takama no Hara tried to lure Amaterasu out of the cave: They held a party. It made her curious about the circumstances outside. She moved the rock slightly. She glanced Ame no Uzume (天鈿女命) dancing indecently and heard the laughter of other Kamis. She was curious why they enjoyed it though there was no sunlight. This incident is called Iwato Gakure (岩戸隠れ).

She asked Ame no Uzume what was going on. She replied that they have a nobler Kami there. She opened the rock again to make sure who she was.

Then, two Kamis fetched a mirror hanging on a Sakaki tree and let her see it. She saw herself in the mirror and mistook herself as the Kami Ame no Uzume referred to. She tried to move the rock wider to make certain who she was.

All of a sudden, a Kami called Ame no Tajikarao (天手力男神) held her arm and pulled her out: The sun came back.

The mirror is Yatano Kagami. It was made of iron or copper. The Katashiro of them were burned into debris in 1040. It is considered that the debris is enshrined in the Imperial Palace today.

Japanese mythology 2: Iwato Gakure, World without sun or Amaterasu Ohmikami

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. In this post, let us see "Iwato Gkure," 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.04

シカさん

Check this out.

Kusanagi no Tsurugi 草薙剣

After Iwato Gakure, Susanoh was ousted from Takama no Hara due to his behavior. When he reached Ashihara Nakatsukuni and fought against a huge serpent with 8 heads and tails called Yamata no Orochi in order to save the life of Kushinada Hime, his future wife. When he defeated the serpent, he found a sword in one of the tails.

七里ヶ浜親方

The serpent is a metaphor of a deity of water and the rivers of Izumo region that produced high-quality iron. Today, genuine Japanese sword must be made of the iron of Izumo.

He presented the sword to Amaterasu Ohmikami and she gave it to Ninigi no Mikoto as Kusanagi no Tsurugi.

Japanese mytholgy 3: Kushinada Hime ends Susanoh's Odyssey

To under stand Japanese culture and its inheritance without the knowledge of Japanese mythology. In this post, let us see how Kushinada Hime put an end to Susanoh's odysesy. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.05

お福さん

Check this out.

Yasaka Ni no Magatama 八尺瓊勾玉

Yasaka Ni no Magatama ornamented the Sakaki tree located near Ame no Iwato as Yata no Kagami did.

Generally speaking, Magatama looks like this. I suppose Yasaka ni no Magatma resemble it.

The legitimacy of the imperial line

The tree treasures are legitimacy of the imperial line and Emperors inherited them from his predecessor when he was enthroned.

There were exceptions. In 1183, Emperor Gotoba was enthroned depending only on Senji instead of the treasures because they are with Emperor Antoku. Senji has several meaning and it means a permission in this case.

In the 14th century, the Imperial Court was divided into the Northern one and Southern one and three emperors were enthroned without the treasures.

They are the exceptions in over at least 1,600 years of the history of the Imperial line.

In 2019, Emperor Naruhito acceded his throne and inherited Kusanagi no Tsurugi and Yasaka ni no Magatama in Kenji Toh Shoukei no Gi ceremony and Yata no Kagami in Kashiko Dokoro Ohmae no Gi ceremony. 合掌

Enthronement/即位

「Enthronement/即位」の記事一覧です。

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たけちよ

Check this out.

As the old saying goes, “春は花、秋は月(The best thing to admire: Sakura in spring and the moon in fall ),” we love to admirer the moon in fall.

In late September, we feel fall in the heat of the air, expecting Tsukimi (月見 Moon viewing) for Chushu no Meigetsu (中秋の名月).

Chushu no Meigetsu is the full moon in August in the Japanese lunar calendar. We have Syosu (初秋), Chushu (中秋), and Banshyu (晩秋). We prefer the moon of Chushu as the loveliest one to be seen: The height of the moon is perfect and the crisp and clear air helps us to admire it.

たけちよ

I suppose “the crisp and clear air helps us to admire the moon” is one of the aesthetic sense indigenous to our country. It could be hard to understand that but it is quite natural for us.

七里ヶ浜親方

The moon appears as it is and infinite as if the doors of perception was clensed.

In old days, of course even today, rituals, ceremonies, and parties took place and people love to compose poems.

An anonymous poet wrote, “月々に月見る月は多けれど月見る月はこの月の月(The best month to admire the moon is one in August though we can see it in every months .”

The court nobles imported this custom from ancient China and commoners adopted it later. For peasants, fall is a season of cultivating and they did Tsukimi prior to Matsuris to show gratitude for Shinto and Buddhist deities in fall.

Generally speaking, we offer the crops harvested in fall to them and the moon: Dangos (rice dumpling), Susuki plants, potatoes, edamames (young soy beans), chestnuts, persimmons, and so on.

Kangetsu-e in Daikakuji temple

The most fascinating Tsukimi is Kangetsu-e (観月会) in Daikakuji temple.

Daikakuji is a Buddhist temple of Shingon school and former villa of Emperor Saga (786-842). The villa has a pond called Osawa no Ike(大沢池), the oldest artificial pond in Japan. Kangetsu-e is a ritual for Gatten (月天), a guardian of Buddhism.

In old days, emperors and court nobles enjoyed Funa Asobi (船遊) on Ryuto sen (龍頭船) and Gekisu sen (鷁首船) boat to enjoy landscapes in every season.

For instance, Kinkakuji and its pond was designated for Funa Ashobi.

Ryuto sen has a dragon and Gekisu sen has a geki as a figurehead individually. Dragon is a deity of water and geki is an imaginary bird saves us from water-related accident.　In the days of old, they enjoyed music and landscape.

Some experts say Emperor Saga created the pond to admire the Chushu no Meigetsu. Today, we can enjoy Chushu no Meigetsu in the same way.

In 2026,  9/25 was Chushu no Meigetsu. It was cloudy but when ritual commenced, the full moon appeared through the cloud. Enjoy it as the emperor did over 1,100 years ago. 合掌

Hogan Biiki (判官贔屓) is a sentiment Japanese people love and it has been passed down from generation to generation without awareness. You’ll find several instances in our cultural inheritance like literature, manga, etc.

The authentic meaning of Hogan Biiki is a compassion for Minamoto no Yoshitsume and it originated sympathy for those who in lower or disadvantaged standing.

“判官(Hogan)” is an official ranking the Imperial Court conferred on him. The word usually pronounced as “Hangan” but we say “Hogan” in the Yoshitsume’s case.

The curious life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune

Vengeance for his father

As stated in the previous post, Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経) is a historical figure belonged to the Genji (源氏) clan. His father was executed due to a conflict with the Heishi clan (平氏). Yoshitsune was sent to Kurama dera temple and his brother Yoritomo (頼朝) was sent to Izu (Shizuoka prefecture) avoiding the punishment.

Yoshitsune left Kurama dera and temporally stayed in Kyoto where he met Benkei. Benkei joined him and they headed for Hiraizumi (Iwate prefecture).

たけちよ

Check out the previous post, old sport.

Ushiwaka Maru meets Benkei 牛若丸と弁慶英語で説明

Ushiwaka Maru meets Benki on Gojo Ohashi bridge. Ten out of ten Japanese know this encounter.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2026.08.28

On the other hand, the Heishi clan was at the zenith of its political power. A daughter of Taira no Kiyomori, the head of the clan, marry Emperor Takakura and gave birth to a child. He launched a coup and detained the emperor and his grand son enthroned as Emperor Antoku at the age of one.

In 1180, Yoritomo, as the head of the Genji, raised an army against the Heishi clan and Yoshitsune served him as a General.

Five years later, they exterminated the Heishi clan in the battle of Dan no Ura (壇ノ浦の戦い).

In 1185, Yoritomo drove away Yoshitsune though he played the greatest role in the war. We can assume many reasons and the following is the critical ones:

Hogan

In 1184, Goshirakawa Ho-oh, the retired emperor, confirmed his official ranking 検非違使伊予守従五位下兼行左衛門少尉.

従五位 (Jyu Goi) is a rank of the officials and it is an aide to emperor.

左衛門少尉 (Sae Mon no Shojo) is the third-ranked officer of a ministry of defense of Kyoto. This rank is also called “判官 (Hangan)” but it is ronounced as “Hangan” in this case.

Yoritomo banned to have official ranking but Yoshitsune had it without his permission. For Yoritomo, it seemed to be a treason. He found Yoshitsune betrayed him.

The Imperial regalia and the battle of Dan no Ura

The Imperial ragalia

There are the three Imperial regalia:

When Ninigi no Mikoto, the ancestor of Japanese emperor, left Takama no Hara, Amaterasu Ohomikami gave them to him.

Japanese mythology 5: 1st Emperor of Japan acceded the throne

In this post, let us see how the ancestor of Japanese emperor arrived at Japan and the first emperor acceded the throne. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.02.12

The Battle of Dan no Ura

壇ノ浦の戦い

In 1183, Yoritomo ousted the Heishi form Kyoto. The Heishi drifted away on hundreds of  boats to Dan no Ura shore. The last stand of the Heishi started. Emperor Antoku and the three Imperial regalia are on the boat in the photo with court ladies.

シカさん

In Kyoto, Emperor Gotoba had enthroned. There were two emperors.

At the end of the battle, the nursing mother of the 6 years old emperor realized a defeat. She took Yasakani no Magatama and Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi (and Yatano Kagami. It is not described in any historical epics but I assume she had it because the regalia is a legitimacy of the imperial throne.) and said, “Shall we go to the Jodo paradise of Amitabha (Buddhist deity). There is another capital under the waves, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Then she threw herself off from the ship, holding the emperor who did Gassho (合掌 The manner of Buddhism. Putting palms together.) in her arms.

Yasakani no Magatama was in a wooden box and a Samurais of the Genji found it floating round on the sea but they failed to spot the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi.

Yoshitsune was in charge of the battle and Yoritomo blamed him though he was able to win the battles without him. He was a leading figure in other battles against the Heishi.

七里ヶ浜親方

Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi is enshrined in Atsuta Jingu shrine today. Ise Jingu shrine gave it to the shrine but some say the one lost in Dan no Ura was a replica.

Yoritomo gave the order to execute Yoshitsune

For several reasons, especially those ones, Yoritomo fond Yoshitsune “betrayed” him and gave the order to execute him. Yoshitsune headed for Hiraizumi relaying on the Fujiwara clan there.

In 1189, the 500 troopers of Yoritomo drove Yoshitsune’s callegues (about 15 people) into a small temple of a castle. He realized the end was near and he went into the temple with his wife and daughter. His Rotohs (those who serves someone) guarded the temple and the troopers showered thousands of arrows. Benkei was in front of the entrance and stabbed with them. He ceased to exist, standing upright. Yoshitsune slayed his wife, daughter, and himself in order to save their honor.

Hogan Biiki established

Yoshitsune made a great contribution to the triumph over the Heishi but he was maltreated. His tragic life and misfortune derive sympathy for those who in lower or disadvantaged standing from Japanese people. The word “Hogan Biiki” was established at least by the 17th century. We are so found of him there are several literatures and works of art, etc. The most excessive one is “Yoshitsune-Genghis Khan hypothesis:” Yoshitsune escaped narrowly to Mongol and founded the Mongol empire. It is a ridiculous idea but we want him a happy ending, I suppose. 合掌

Introduction

Ushiwaka Maru meets Benki on Gojo Ohashi bridge. Ten out of ten Japanese know this encounter. It is a popular theme of Noh, Kabuki, and other entertainment. For instance, Hahisbenkei Yama of Gion matsuri is based on the story.

Who is Ushiwaka Maru?

Ushiwaka Maru (牛若丸) is a historical figure in the 12th century. Ushiwaka Maru is a Yomyo,  a name given to a child and he grew up to Minamoto no Yhoshitsune (源義経).

His father was executed due to a political conflict between the Heishi (平氏) and the Genji (源氏) clan.  Yoshitsune was sent to Kurama dera temple located in Mt. Kurama.

He learned Buddhism as an apprentice monk during the day and learned martial arts from Kurama Tengu lived the mountain during the night. Tengu is an legendary creature with a red face and a long nose. It often was fused with the Mountain worship and considered as a deity living in a mountain.

Ushiwaka Maru left the temple and stayed in Kyoto en route to Hiraizumi, the de facto vice capital, to apply political asylum. One night, he met Benkei.

Who is Benkei?

Benkei (弁慶) is also a historical figure but no one can tell who he is exactly. He is known as a hulking guy loyal to Yoshitsune but this profile was invented in Gikeiki (『義経記』), the chronicle of Yoshitsune and other war-tales.

He was an apprentice monk of Enryakuji temple in Hieizan. He was ousted from the temple due to his bad attitude and behavior. He settled down to Kyoto and planned to collect 1,000 swords there. He started attacking passers-by with swords for his aim. When he obtained 999 swords, he met Ushiwaka Maru.

Where did they meet?

Where did they meet? Almost anyone answer, “On Gojo Ohashi bridge” but Gikeiki describes the encounter took place near Gojo Tenjin shrine. The encounter on Gojo Ohashi is famous because of a Rokyoku (謡曲) called Hashi Benkei. Ryokyoku is a part of Noh and used to be popular.

One night, Benkei prayed at Gojo Tenjin shrine. He requested the 1,000th sword would be a good one. Then, he came across Ushiwaka Maru He walked playing his flute. All of a sudden, Benkei attacked him with his sword. Ushiwaka maru jumped to a nearby wall and bent his sword and threw it away to Benkei. Benkei attacked him again. Ushiwaka Maru escaped the sword: He jumping off the wall, hovered in the air and jumped over the Naginata.

On the next day, Benkei wait him in front of the main gate of Kiyomizudera temple for revenge. Fortunately, he met Ushiwaka Maru again. This time, Benkei attacked him with his Naginata sword (A sword with long pole). The desperate battle lead them to the stage of Kiyomizudera. Benkei lose the battle and decided to be a Rotoh (郎党) of Ushiwaka Maru. Rotho is a person who serves the superior. After this, Benkei served him for the last minute of his life.

To be continued in the next post. 合掌

On July 28, Kyushu was struck by an earthquake. I would like to show the deepest condolences to those who affected by the disaster.

Gion Matsuri commenced in 869 in order to cope with the epidemics and the natural disasters happened in the archipelago.

On July 31, Higohgis were still in bloom,  Eki Jinjya Nagoshisai took place in serenity and the chief priest of Yasaka shrine declared that Gion Matsuri of 2026 was completed. He stated that we were not able to get rid of epidemics and natural disasters though the Matsuri was accomplished, implying that all we could do it is taking precautions.

I suppose we prepare for the worst case scenario as Samurais were able to be ready to be face to face with it, according to Zen.

Gion Matsuri is famed for Yamahoko parade or Yoiyamas of Sakimatsuri but Kanko Sai used to be the most famous ritual. Kanko Sai is a sequence of rituals still held these years and written in “還幸祭.” 還 means “come back,” 幸 means “happiness,” and 祭 means “Matsuri.”

In the old days, the deities on three Mikoshis left Otabisho individually and headed for Gion Sha, the Buddhist temple known as Yasaka shrine today. Yasaka shrine used to be a Buddhist temple in Shimbutsu Shugo, the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. They joined together at Rekken no Tsuji corner near Gokusya. Shoguns and the court nobles loved to admire the deities there. For instance, Ashikaga Yosimitsu, the third Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate and the founder of Kinkakuji temple, was very fond of showing respect to them in the seat at the corner.

By the late 19th century, Gion Matsuri has been held in the Japanese lunar calendar and the deities came back to Gion sha under the full moon.

In 2021, they came back to Yasaka shrine in the fully moonlit sky. We were in the midst of the pandemic and they were on the Himorogis on the steed’s back instead of the Mikoshis.

There were only a few people waited for the deities in front of the main hall. I was so exhausted that I took photos and videos all day long. In the pale moon light, I vaguely thought about how people waited them hundreds of yeas ago.

All I can say is that several things have changed in modern days but there are things that make us all the same. Some have gone, some remain. Worth fighting for. 合掌

Now July started and we are on Gion Matsuri that shows us the old faiths are still alive. The first Gion Matsuri, or Gion Goryo-e, commenced in 869 in order to get rid of epidemics.

Before Gion Goryo-e, people thought petals of flowers bring them epidemics when they fall off in spring. This shows us the most basic and important idea to understand Gion Matsuri: The cause of epidemics existed outside of a community.

In the 8th century, the centralized government was established and annual Matsuri were organized. One of them is Hanashizume  no Matsuri (鎮花祭). In the Matsuri, priest Ekijin (疫神), the Kami, or Shinto deity, causes epidemics.

Traditionally, we find Kami behind nature and natural phenomena. And matsuri is the way to welcome them with hospitality. 祭(Matsuri) stands for a hand put a piece of meat on an altar. Ancient people thought when they do good to Kami, they also do good to them and vice versa.

The faith of Goryo

The establishment of the government gave rise to political conflicts. People started to consider the causes of epidemics are the grieving souls of the ousted court nobles and officials. The first Goryo-e on record is the one held in 863 in order to calm the souls of Sawara Shino, the brother of Emperor Kanmu, and others. The first Gion Goryo-e must have been held in order to ease their souls. I assume they were considered as Ekijins. This Goyo-e was held on the faith of Goryo.

In Goryo-e, priests, monks, and people “entertained” the deceased souls and “let them go away, ” i.e., remove the cause of epidemics.

As time went on, people found the cause of epidemics is Gozu Tennno, the most famous and Ekijin. Gozu Tennno is a deity of Buddhism and Onmyodo. Onmyodo is a philosophy that decribes the world with Yin-Yang and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, gold, and water). For instance, Eto is based on it. He is a deity from overseas and was enshrined in Gion-sha temple (known as Yasaka shrine today), located outside of Heian Kyo city.

And people find easier way to save their lives: Taking advantage of the enormous power of Gozutenno. They asked him to keep epidemics away from them. This concept is the faith of (Gozu) Tenno and Gion Matsuri is carried on this faith today.

Yasaka shrine that holds Gion Matsuri enshrines Susanoh no Mikoto instead of Gozu Tenno today but they had been enshrined there for over one thousand years. In 19th century, the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism were abolished “in terms of law” but as a matter of fact, it never fails the test of time and is still alive among us.合掌

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Why is Gion Matsuri celebrated? 祇園祭の意味を英語で説明

Gion matsuri has changed in many ways but its aim reminds the same for 1150 years. In this article, you can learn the exact reason why Gion matsuri is celebrated.

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Did you notice a crow with three legs on the uniform of Japan national foot ball team? It is Yatagarasu (八咫烏), the crow in Japanese mythology.

When Kamiyamatonoiwa Arehiko no Sumera Mikoto was on the eastern expedition, it led him to Kashihara. He enthroned himself as Emperor Jinmu(神武天皇), the first emperor of Japan in 660 B.C. He is a mythological figure but we considered it is the beginning of our country. For instance, Koki(皇紀), the imperial year, commenced on the year and 2026 marks Koki 2686.

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Kigen Sai 2026: Kashihara Jingu celebrates the birth of Japan 橿原神宮の紀元祭英語で説明

Kigensai festival (紀元祭) is a ritual to celebrate the birth of Japan. According to Nihon Shoki,『日本書記』Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇) became the 1st emperor of Japan in 660 B.C. at a place known as Kashihara Jingu shrine today. In this article, you can learn about how Japan started and Kigensai.

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Due to the role in the mythology, Yatagarasu as known a deity or a symbol of guidance who lead us to good fortune. Its three legs stands for Kami (Deity of Japanese mythology), Nature, and Human individually. Japan Football Association adopted it as its symbol for victory.

The mythology is still alive in our mind.

As described in this post, Amaterasu Ohmikami gave Ninigi no Mikoto the permission to rule Japan.

By Meiji restoration in the 19th century, the Imperial court and the Shogunates had co-existed for over 600 years and their legitimacy had based on the story: Every Shogun had to be a descendant of an emperor.

As a part of the restoration, Japan adopted a constitutional monarchy. In 1947, the constitution of Japan founded on popular sovereignty came into effect.

However, we still have the mythology back in our mind. We assume that it really happened. Half believe, half doubt, unconsciously. It may sound strange but we actually do.合掌

Kyoto is in the rainy season called Tsuyu (梅雨), and Ajizai (Hydrangea) are in bloom. There are several places to admire them through the archipelago. Ajisai-en (Hydrangea garden) of Sanzenin temple is one of them. It is located in rural Ohara and known as a hidden gem among Kyoto-enthusiasts.

Despite their expectations, the temple can’t open up the gate for us: The flowers are gone.

In Japan, beetles called Zomushi, a.k.a., “Ajisai Chokiri (Hydrangea-cutter)” live near Hydrangeas. They cut off the flower to lay eggs in their stem. Due to the beetles, we can’t admire the hydrangea there.

In a interview in a TV program, a monk said something very impressive.

“Trees live, insects live. I suppose Zomushi-san (We can attach -san even to insects to show respect) must survive. I rather would like to show a gratitude for hydrangeas bloomed every year (instead of blaming Zomushi-san for the incident).” (In the last sentence, he also shows respect for Ajisai. I can’t find a proper translation to describe it.)

What he said shows us two thoughts lies behind our social norms. 1) Respect for others including insects, flowers, and so on. and 2) Empathy.

For instance, we don’t talk loud in a bus. It is a public place and other passengers get irritated with loud voice. Of course there are some exceptions. If a baby is crying, we don’t get irritated because we understand it is “her duty” in common.

These thoughts deteriorated these days but still alive, I believe. 合掌

Depending on seasons, the sky changes its color, especially in twilight. Around late February, when plum blossoms in bloom, the sky grows into bright blue telling us the winter is nearly ending. We enjoy plum blossoms illuminated in Kitano Tenmangu shrine expecting the upcoming spring.

The sky disappears before Atomatsuri of Gion Matsuri starts. Sakimatsuri is the last opportunity to admire it.

During the period, I guess a couple of days, this peculiar one shows up. Enjoy the pleasant evening. 合掌