Hatsuuma is the first day of Uma in Kisaragi. Uma is Eto, the way to describe days and Kisaragi is February in the Japanese lunar calendar. On the day, Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of Inari shrines holds Hatsu Uma Taisai ritual in order to celebrate its foundation. We call it “Hatsu Uma Mode,” or “Fukumairi” and pay a visit to the shrine to ask the Inari Okami, the deities enshrined there, for our prosperity and commemorate the day the deities descended to Mt. Inari.

The day before the ritual, the main hall and sub-shrines are ornamented with “Aoyama Kazari,” the amulet made of the leaves of the trees grew in the mountain.

In this post, I’ll show you what Hatsu Uma Taisai is.  合掌

シカさん

Fushimi Inari is ready for Hatsu Uma Taisai.

What is Hatsu Uma? 初午とは

Uma(Horse) is one of Eto that describe days. Eto is an abbreviated “Jikkan Jyunishi.” These days, we usually use Eto only when mention a year but also use it on days in special occasions.

七里ヶ浜親方

Jikkan Jyunishi? Check this out.

Eto, the traditional calendar in Japan 干支につき英語で説明

In Japan, we have several ways to express a year: Koki, Imperial period, Japanese lunar calendar, CE, and Eto(干支). This post shows you a comprehensive understanding.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2026.01.22

Why なぜ2月の初午にお祭りが行われるのか

Inari no Ohkami, the deities of Fushimi Inari descended to Mt Inari, the Kannabi Yama of it, on the first day of Ume in 711.

たけちよ

Kannnabi Yama is a mountain deity stays.

Shaku Nihongi (『釈日本紀』), cites the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki(『山背国風土記』), the records of Yamashiro (the place known as Kyoto today) puts it:

”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

The Gist.

たけちよ

Each number implies:

#1 Sorei Shinko, the faith on ancestors, #2 the faith of grain, #3 Inari no Ohkami is a deity of grain, and #4 Shirushi no Sugi of Hatsu Uma Taisai.

the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki doesn’t mention when Fushimi Inari was founded but the reliable sources like Nijyunisya Chyushiki (『二十二社註式』), the descriptions of important 22 shrines in the 11th century, says Fushimi Inari was founded on 711.

Inari no Ohokami means a collective deities. The most important one is Uka no Mitama no Kami (宇迦之御魂神). Uka is a deformation of Uke that stood for food in old days. She is known as a deity of food, especially rice.

About 1,000 years ago, people climbed 7 times on the day.

シカさん

Climbing the mountain is equivalent to visiting a shrine because both of them are places where deity stays.

In the pillow book, the famous collection of essays in 1,002, Seisho Nagon, the author, tells us a story of a woman she met in Hatsuuma Taisai. The woman put it: 「まろは七度まうでし侍るぞ。三度はまうでぬ。いま四度はことにもあらず。まだ未に下向しぬべし」

七里ヶ浜親方

Today, I climb the mountain 7 times. I’ve already done it 3 times. 4 more times? Piece of cake!

Even today, we climb the mountain as she did: Oyama Meguri. It takes about 1 hour.

Fushimi Inari Taisha hike, a.k.a. Oyama Meguri 伏見稲荷お山めぐり英語で説明

In Fushimi Inari hike, known as "Oyama Meguri" in Japanese, we visit the sacred mountain to find what Japanese people believed through thousands of years.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.15

Shirushi no Sugi しるしの杉

Sirusni no Sugi is an amulet we can have in Hasu Uma Taisai. This is base on the story in the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki.

”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。”

The descendants of Hara no Iroko were ashamed of his deeds and brought the cedar trees in the mountain to their home. (Generally speaking,) If it grows up, it brings us a luck, and vice versa.

Shirushi no Sugi seemed to be popular. For instance, a famous poet wrote a poem in the 13th century:”きさらぎやけふ初午のしるしとて稲荷の杉はもとつ葉もなし”

In Hatsu Uma Taisai, I can’t find a single cedar leaves in Mt Inari because people brought them back to their homes.

In addtion to it, thanks to the story, the cedar leaves was accepted as amulets those days.

Today, we can buy other amulets like them.

Otsuka Taisai お塚大祭

On the same day, Otsuka Taisai riutla takes place in Gozendani Hohaijo. It used to be a place where priests prepared for food for the deities in Mt. Inari.

About Fushimi Inari Taisha

Access to Fushmi Inari Taisha

 JR Line

Get off train at Inari station. Local line only.

Keihan Line

Get off train at Fushimi Inari station.  Express, Local and Sub-express line only.

たけちよ

Check this out.

How to get to fushimi Inari-taisha shrine: Train, don't take bus 伏見稲荷アクセス英語版

The easiest ways to Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Take JR or Keihan lines. Don't take bus.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.06.29

Bibliography 参考文献

• 山折哲雄/編（1999）『稲荷信仰事典』戎光祥出版
• 三好和義（2003）『伏見稲荷大社』淡交社
• 中村陽/監修（2009）『稲荷大神』戎光祥出版

Take JR lines or Keihan lines to get to Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Don’t take bus. Anywhere in Kyoto, head for a JR/ Kenhan station.

Fushimi Inari

「Fushimi Inari」の記事一覧です。

kyotokankoyagi.com

たけちよ

Fushimi Inari Taisha?

JR Nara Line

General info.

JR Nara line is the best and easiest way to Fuhimi Inari because JR Inari station is located in front of the main Torii gate of the shrine.

Local, rapid, and Niyakoji rapid are available and Only LOCAL line stops JR Inari station except for fall.

Getting on

1st, find a sign board hanging on the ceiling. If you find Japanese words on it, wait for a while.

The arrows in the red circles indicate the truck number. “Track 10” in the blue circle indicates the the train doesn’t depart here. The sign bored is for the platform 8 and 9.

2nd, find this on the platform. Boarding point is indicated with 〇 , △ and number. Wait in 2 lines.

お福さん

On wheel chair? Don’t worry. JR prepares for a board works as ramp.

Find an employee and tell your destination. They “escort” you to a train you get on. At the station you get off, an employee waits for you with a board and they lead you to the gate.

3rd, make sure the train you take is the right one. Type of the train and destination are indicated in the red circles.

 Getting off

JR Inari sta. has only 1 gate. Getting through it, we find ourselves in front of the main Torii gate.

To Senbon Torii

Get through the Torii gate. This is the main entrance of Fuhimi Inari.

Do abbreviated Misogi at Chozu (red cirlce) and get through Romon gate to pray at the Haiden of the main hall.

What is Misogi and Harae? 禊と祓を英語で説明

Misogi and Harae is the ways to get rid of evilness in order to prepare for something sacred.  In this post, I'll show you what they are. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.12.31

Next to the main hall. Cilmb up the stairs.

七里ヶ浜親方

Voila! One way, pls.

たけちよ

BAAH!!!

Keihan Honsen line

General info.

It’s tough to take Keihan lines because there are many types of trains. Only Local, exp., sub-exp, or commuter sub-exp. stop at Fushimi Inari station.

Getting on

1st, find a sign board hanging on the ceiling. If you find Japanese words on it, wait for a while.

2nd, find this on the platform. Boarding point is indicated with 〇 , △ and number. Wait in 2 lines.

お福さん

On wheel chair? Don’t worry. Keihan prepares for a board works as ramp.

Find an employee and tell your destination. They “escort” you to a train you get on. At the station you get off, an employ waits for you with a board and they lead you to the gate.

3rd, make sure the train you take is the right one. Type of the train and destination are indicated in the red circles.

 Getting off

Keihan Fushimi Inari sta. has 2 platforms and they have only 1 gate individually.

Getting through it, TURN LEFT.

To Senbon Torii

Cross a river and railways.

Turn right. the Torii is not the main entrance.

On the foot of the Torii, we’ll find Chikawa Mogu Mogu Honpo store.

シカさん

Lots of souvenirs are available!!!

This is the main entrance of Fushimi Inari.

Do abbreviated Misogi at Chozu (red cirlce) and get through Romon gate to pray at the Haiden of the main hall.

What is Misogi and Harae? 禊と祓を英語で説明

Misogi and Harae is the ways to get rid of evilness in order to prepare for something sacred.  In this post, I'll show you what they are. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.12.31

Next to the main hall. Cilmb up the stairs.

七里ヶ浜親方

Voila! One way, pls.

たけちよ

BAAH!!!

THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE

• • Page 1 Introduction, History, Torii
  • Page 2 Foxes, Hike part 1
  • Page 3 Hike part 2
  • Page 4 Hike part 3
  • Page 5 Access

The following is the contents of this article.

Introduction

In this post, you can learn about Fushimi Inari Taisha ; Its history, Senbon Torii gates,   foxes, and Oyama meguri-tour.合掌

 The short history of Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社の歴史

The early history of Fusimi Inari Taisha remains to be secret but Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki, or The Report of Ancient Kyoto Province, the most reliable source compiled under the order from the emperor in the 6th century, tells the shrine was founded in 711 D.C.

The following is my translation :” Hata no Irogu of the Hata clan was very prosperous thanks to rice farming. One day, he shot an rice cake with an arrow. On the spot, the cake became a white bird and flew away to a mountain. Simultaneously, the mountain had a huge rice harvest. He was so impressed that he enshrined 3 Deities on 3 peaks in the mountain. That is the reason why we call it (the ancient Fushimi  Inari Taisha.) “Inari”. (The word “Inari” means “Rice harvest” in Japanese.)  The descendants of Irogu ashamed the deeds of their ancestor and pull a small tree out of the ground of the shirne and brought it back their home. ”

At the beginning, Fushimi Inari Taisha was a shrine respected by the Hata clan. I suppose these 3 Deities are “Inari no Ohkami”.

In the 8th century, under the fusion of the Shinto and the Buddhism, Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, enshrined Inari no Ohkami as a Deity who saves Toji temple. The emperors often visited the shrine and Fusimi Inari Shrine became one of the most popular shrine as Yasaka shrine of that time (Today, Yasaka shrine is a Shinto shrine but was a Buddhist temple).

In the 15th century, Onin no ran, the largest civil war in the Japanese Medieval ages, occurred. It lasted for 10 years and Fushimi Inari Taisya was burnt out completely.

After the war was ended, Fushimi Inari Taisya was managed to gain donations, and retrieved its fortune. In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated the Romon gate we can still see there today.

In the Edo period, Inari no Ohkami became very popular among merchants and they started to donate Torii gates. They are the origin of Senbon Torii today.

Today, we regard Ukano mitana no Ohkami as the same Deity as Inari no Ohkami.

In the main hall of Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ukano mitama no Ohkami is enshrined.

Fushimi Inari facts 4: The history over 1300 years 伏見稲荷の歴史英語で説明

Fushimi Inari Taisha has a history of over 1300 years. In this post, I'll show you it in chronical order. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.14

Torii gates in Fusimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社の鳥居

The origin of Torii gate

Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for Torii gates. So, let us learn about Torii gates first.

Torii is a gate which devides a sacred and a secular world. Usually, Shinto shrines has  a torii at an entrance. We can not tell its origin exactly. Some source says it was built in front of shrine to let “Tokoyo no Naganaki-dori” stay on.

Tokoyo no Naganaki-dori is a rooster. In Japanese mythology, “Amaterasu Ohmikami”, the highest ranked Deity in the Shinto, hid behind the huge door of rock because of the rough behavior of her brother. After the incident, the world fell into the night. The other Deities tried to lure her outside of the door. As one of the attempts they made, they let roosters crowed.( She finally got out of the door and the new day dawned.) Because of this story, Ise shrine, the shrine Amaterasu Ohmikami was enshrined, keeps roosters as envoy of her.

Take a look at the picture above. This is the most primitive fashion of torii. Torii gate is made with barked tree usually but this torii wood is not barked. This torii is developed into two kinds of torii.

One is “Shinmei toii”.

The other is “Myohjin torii”. The toriis in Fushimi Inari Taisha belong to this kind. The difference between them is not color but the upper part of the torii. The upper part of Shinmei torii is flat and that of Myojin torii is curved.

As we discussed in the last chapter, Fushimi Inari Taisha became popular among merchants in Edo period. They asked Inari no Ohkami to let them prosperous with her power. When thier wishes became true, they donated Toriis to the shrine. It is said that there are about 10,000 Toriis and we can donate them even today.

Torii is painted in color called “Niiro”. Niiro is believd to be color prevent us from anything evil. The paint is made from cinnabar and keeps away wood from rot. Take a look at the picture above. That is a building of Heian Jingu shrine. It is a replica of a building of the ancient Imperial court. It is painted in the same color.

The beginning of “Senbon Torii”

As we discussed before, Torii is a gate which means the entrance of a sacred world but Senbob Torii has defferent meaning.

In Edo period (1603-1686), a merchant in Edo went into decline. He visited Inari shrine many times and he became very prosperous.

After the incident, many merchants visit Inari shrine and dedicated Totii gates as a gratitude for their prosperity.

We can devide the word “Torii” into 2 words: “To-ru” and “i “. It is a kind of rendition of Japanese words we always take. We translate the word as “Wish comes true”. This is the reason why we consider Torii as a thing has to do with prosperity.

Fushimi Inari facts 3: Senbon Torii 伏見稲荷千本鳥居英語で説明

Senbon Torii is a name of two tunnels of Toriis located near Okusya Houhaijo in Fushimi Inari Taisha. In this post, I'll show you why it was founded. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.05

In Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, often referred as the Fox shrine in Kyoto, we can find many statues of Foxes, the messenger of the deity enshrined there. In this post, I’ll show you why they are there regarding the deity and in terms of religious syncretism. 合掌

たけちよ

General information of Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Taisha fact 1: Thousands of Torii, Fox, and history 伏見稲荷英語で説明

In this post, you can learn about Fushimi Inari Taisha ; Its history, Senbon Torii gates,   foxes, and Oyama meguri-tour.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.02.27

七里ヶ浜親方

Next post

Fushimi Inari facts 3: Senbon Torii 伏見稲荷千本鳥居英語で説明

Senbon Torii is a name of two tunnels of Toriis located near Okusya Houhaijo in Fushimi Inari Taisha. In this post, I'll show you why it was founded. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.05

Fox キツネさん

In ancient Japan, Kitsune was a mysterious animal. When people saw some of them, they expected deities of mountain and rice paddy which gave them fertility.

Sometimes she is equivalent to sur-natural phenomena. Kitsume no Yomeiri (狐の嫁入り) is a good example.

In old days, people often find fire balls called Kaika (怪火) floating in the air. Those days, wedding ceremony was held at night. A Bride left her home to her groom at twilight or night. Her relatives followed her with lanterns. Kaika looked like a fox bride and her relatives.

In addition to it, fox was believed that she was capable of predicting future.

Kenzoku 眷属

Foxes in Fushmi Inari are Kenzoku (眷属). Kenzoku is a animal or creature belongs to a deity. It usually is a messenger of her. Fushimi Inari enshrines Inari no Ohkami (稲荷大神) who is consists of five deities. The most important one is Uka no Mittama no Ohkami (宇迦之御魂大神).

Why did foxes become her Kenzoku? There is a story. A long time ago, there was a fox family that wanted to be good to humans. They decided to go Fushmi Inari and ask Ukano Mittama no Ohkami the way they would take. In the end, she accepted them as her messengers. It is a kind of a fairly tale but there is a more complicated story actually.

In addtion to it, foxes reminded people Yama no Kami (Deity of mountain and Ta no Kami (Deity of rice paddy). People thought their deceased ancestors became Sorei and  it takes care of them as a Yama no Kami or Ta no Kami. These Kamis come from and go to each places. Foxes also come from and go to mountains and rice paddies.

Before the foundation of Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷創建前

More than two thousand years ago, people believe in snakes as a kind of deity of water and land. This faith of the snake was fused with the faith of the dragon with the arrival of Onmyodo from China and developed into the fatih of Ryuda Shin(龍蛇神), the deity of dragon and snake.

Fushimi Inari is located in the foot of a mountain called Mt. Ianari where the faith was exercised.

In 711, Fushimi Inari was established. Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki, the report of the culture of ancient Kyoto and other places tells us the the original meaning of “伊奈利 (Inari)”; Hata no Irogu was a prosperous man and he shot a rice cake with an arrow. The rice cake became a swan and she landed the peak of a mountain and the rice plants grew up there.

It says that is the reason of a shrine was named 伊奈利(Rice grows up). To our regret, it doesn’t reveal who the deity is but 伊奈利 and the story implies that she is a deity who has something to do with rice cultivating.

The story reveals why Fushimi Inari does enshrines Uka no Mittama no Ohkami (宇迦之御魂大神). Uka (宇迦) means foods, especially grains. The diet of Japan is rice.

The syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism 神仏習合

Those days, Shinto, or the indigenous belief in nature was fused with Buddhism in Shinbutsu Shugo (神仏習合), the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.  Uka no Mitama no Ohkami was fused with Dakini Ten (荼枳尼天).

Dakini Ten is originally a deity of land in ancient India. She represents fertility and maternity. In addition to it, she is capable of predicting future.

Fox was considered of a Kenzoku of Dakini Ten due to these features; Fertility, the ability to foresee future.

Uka no Mitama no Ohokami was regarded as Dakini Ten in Shinbutsu Shugo and fox became her Kenzoku.

The things the foxes have in the mouth キツネさんが咥えているもの

Rice plant 稲穂

Fox is a messenger of Uka no Mitama no Ohkami who is a deity of rice cultivating. Many foxes have rice plants.

Hoju　宝珠

The globe stands for the fertility that Inari no Ohkami gives to us.

Key　鍵

With the key, we can have the assistance from the deity. The key also means that of storehouse of rice.

Hand scroll　巻物

In ancient times, we recorded documents and pictures. The key and the globe stands for yin-yang which generates the wisdom. It is written in the hand scroll.

About Fushimi Inari Taisha

Access to Fushmi Inari Taisha

 JR Line

Get off train at Inari station. Local line only.

Keihan Line

Get off train at Fushimi Inari station.  Express, Local and Sub-express line only.

Senbon Torii is a name of two tunnels of Toriis located near Okusya Houhaijo (奥社奉拝所) in Fushimi Inari Taisha. In this post, I’ll show you why it was founded. 合掌

たけちよ

General information of Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Taisha fact 1: Thousands of Torii, Fox, and history 伏見稲荷英語で説明

In this post, you can learn about Fushimi Inari Taisha ; Its history, Senbon Torii gates,   foxes, and Oyama meguri-tour.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.02.27

七里ヶ浜親方

Previous post

Fushimi Inari facts 2: Why foxes? 伏見稲荷のキツネさん英語で説明

Foxes in Fushimi Inari Taisha are messengers of the deity enshrined there. In this post, I'll show you why they are there. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.03

シカさん

Next post

Fushimi Inari facts 4: The history over 1300 years 伏見稲荷の歴史英語で説明

Fushimi Inari Taisha has a history of over 1300 years. In this post, I'll show you it in chronical order. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.14

What is Torii?

Torii is a landmark found at the entrance of a Shinto Shrine. It usually works as a gate to a sacred word, i.e., the land of the shrine where deities are in, and the secular world we live in.

Torii is usually painted in Shu-iro (vermilion). The color represents the fertility of the earth, the vitality of nature, of course ours, and so on. And it prevents us from evil things we encounter.

This type of Torii is found at the entrance of Fushimi Inari.

Why so many Toriis in Fushimi Inari?

Senbon torii isn’t located at the entrance. These Toriis were donated by merchants and companies. Fushimi Inari enshrines Uka no Mittama no Ohkami (宇迦之御魂大神). She is a deity of rice cultivating and gives us fertility and people believe she also gave them a fertility in business and built Toriis as their Hono (奉納).

Hono is a deed give something to Shito shrine or Buddhist temple asking deities to let their wish, hope, and dream come true.

This custom started in 16, or 17th century and is still alive today. At least 19th century, Senbon Torii looked like the one we know today. We can find it in Karaku Meisyou Zue (花洛名勝図絵), the guidebook of Kyoto published in 1864. Even today, we can build Toriis as Hono. Price depends on the size of Tori you choose.

Fushimi Inari has the main hall but the mountain located behind it is also a sacred place of Uka no Mittama no Ohkami. We can find many Toriis there.

シカさん

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ヤギが皆様の知らない京都をご案内/ THE MOST FASCINATING KYOTO, EVAAH!

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About Fushimi Inari Taisha

Access to Fushmi Inari Taisha

 JR Line

Get off train at Inari station. Local line only.

Keihan Line

Get off train at Fushimi Inari station. Express, Local and Sub-express line only.

Fushimi Inari Taisha has a history of over 1300 years. In this post, I’ll show you it in chronical order. 合掌

たけちよ

Previous post

Fushimi Inari facts 3: Senbon Torii 伏見稲荷千本鳥居英語で説明

Senbon Torii is a name of two tunnels of Toriis located near Okusya Houhaijo in Fushimi Inari Taisha. In this post, I'll show you why it was founded. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.05

Pre-Fushimi Inari era

Fushimi Inari is located in the foot of Mt. Inari. The people lived there showed respect and gratitude for it because it gave them water, soil and so on. They provides us sources of food and agriculture. Their attitude is called the faith of Kannabi which was popular those days thorough the archipelago.

The faith usually leads people to the fatih of Ryuda Shin(龍蛇神), the deity of dragon and snake. Both of them are the deities of water.

This faith of the snake was fused with the faith of the dragon with the arrival of Onmyodo from China and developed into the fatih of Ryuda Shin(龍蛇神), the deity of dragon and snake. Water is importand for us. Without water, we can’t live at all. In addition to it, our ancestors believed it got rid of evil things.

Fushimi Inari was established

Fushimi Inari was established in 711.Yamashiro no Kuni Fudoki (『山背国風土記』), the report of the culture of ancient Kyoto tells us a story of the foundation: Near the mountain, a man called Irogu Hatanokimi/Hata no Irogu lived. The rice cultivation made him a millionaire. He was so arrogant that he shot a rice cake with an arrow. The rice cake became a swan. She landed the peak of Mt Inari and the rice plants grew up there. Then a shrine called Inari (伊奈利) founded. Inari means that rice grows up. It is a shrine enshrines a deity of agriculture, especially rice cultivating.

The story reveals why Fushimi Inari does enshrines Uka no Mittama no Ohkami (宇迦之御魂大神). Uka (宇迦) means foods, especially grains. The diet of Japan is rice.

In 8th century, Fushimi Inari also enshrined two deities: Satahiko no Ohkami (佐田彦大神) and Ohmiya no Me no Ohkami (大宮能売大神).

Satahiko no Kami guided the ancestor of emperor descended to Japan from Tkamagahara located up above the world. Ohmiya no Me no Ohkami is a guardianne of the Imperial court.

The Chinjyu Sha of Toji

In the 9th century, Fushimi Inari became a Chijsu sha of Toji temple.Those days, Shinto, or the indigenous belief in nature was fused with Buddhism in Shinbutsu Shugo (神仏習合), the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. Chinjhu sha is a kind of a guardian Shito shrine for a Buddhist temple.

In 826. the construction of the pagoda of Toji was started. Then, all of a sudden, emperor Junna became ill, The divination told that the cause was the curse of Mt. Inari. Some of the lumbers for the construction belonged to the mountain. The imperial court gave Inari sha (Fushimi Inari) Ju Goi Ge (従五位下), a low status to calm the curse down.

In the 10th centrury, the Imperial court gave Fushimi Inari Sho ichi (生一位), the highest status of Shinto shrine and became one of the most popular Shito shrine among Kyotoites. In The Pillow Book (枕草子), an observation book written in Seihonagon, the author described many people visited there in Hatsu Uma Sai festival.

The middle ages

Those days, Fushimi Inari enshrined two more deities: Tanaka no Ohkami (田中大神) and Si no Ohkami (四大神). Tanaka no Ohkami is a deity of rice paddy and Si no Ohkami is a deity of four seasons. They reveals that the deities of Fushimi Inari are considered as the deities for agriculture.

In addition to it, Shinbutsu Shugo was in progress. Uka no Mitama no Ohkami was fused with Dakini Ten (荼枳尼天). Dakini Ten is originally a deity of land in ancient India. She represents fertility and maternity. Today, we can find many statues of Fox in Fushimi Inari. They has something to do with Dakini Ten.

Fushimi Inari facts 2: Why foxes? 伏見稲荷のキツネさん英語で説明

Foxes in Fushimi Inari Taisha are messengers of the deity enshrined there. In this post, I'll show you why they are there. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.03

The civil war

A conflict on a succession of the Ashikaga Shogunate lead the largest civil war in Japan. The Eastern Army and the Western Army made Kyoto their battle field. The war lasted 10 years and Kyoto was devastated completely.

In Fushimi Inari,  two clans of priests which governed joined the Armies each other and a sever strife happened.

As other Shinto shrines temples those days, Fushimi Inari started Kannjin (勧進).

Kanjin is a way of collecting construction or renovation cost of shrines and temples. Kanjin So (勧進層), monks went to many places to talked about a history and Goriyaku, fortunes deities give to us, of the shrine or temple they belonged for and gather money. Offering money was a religious activity.

Fushimi Inari was reconstructed due to heir activities.

Edo period

Thanks to the Kanjin Sos, Oinari-san, a.k.a. Uka no Mittama no Ohkami, was one of the most popular deities. Her Goriyaku for fertility in agriculture was developed into prosperity in business and the bond between Foxes and her became concrete.  Inari shrines were founded in many places, especially Edo (former name of Tokyo). Here is an old saying: “The popular things in Edo. Iseya (Trade name of merchants), Inari (shrines), and dog’s poops.”

And Torii donations were in rapid progress in this period.

Fushimi Inari facts 3: Senbon Torii 伏見稲荷千本鳥居英語で説明

Senbon Torii is a name of two tunnels of Toriis located near Okusya Houhaijo in Fushimi Inari Taisha. In this post, I'll show you why it was founded. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.05

The end of Shinbutsu Shugo

The Meiji restoration lead the government decided to separate the co-existence of Shinto and Buddhism. In 1868, they were separated in terms of law though it sounds strange. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples were forced to choose the way the would take. Fushimi Inari decided to be a Shinto shrine but the law did’t invade the belief people had. They made Otsukas, the small shrines, without permissions of the government or Fushimi Inari. These Otsukas enshrines deities not familiar to us. People asked a medium a deity for them and she chose a proper one. Even today, we can see thousands of Otsukas.

Today

Fushimi Inari is famous and one of the most popular destination for tourists, especially foreign ones. About ten million people visit there for a year.

About Fushimi Inari Taisha

Access to Fushmi Inari Taisha

 JR Line

Get off train at Inari station. Local line only.

Keihan Line

Get off train at Fushimi Inari station.  Express, Local and Sub-express line only.

THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE

• Page 1  Introduction, Main hall, Oku no Miya
• Page 2  Mitsu Tsuji crossing, Kumataka Sha, Yotsutsuji crossing, Osugi Sha, Ganriki Sha
• Page 3 Gozen Dani Houhaijo, Yakuriki Sha, Mitsurugi Sha
• Page 4 Ich no Mine, Ni no Mine, Kada Sha, San no Mine, Araki Shrine, Sanba Inari
• Page 5 About Fushimi Inari, Access

The following is the contents of this article.

Introduction

Fushimi Inari Taisha is located in the foot of Mt. Inari. Described in the previous post, it is started as Kannabi (Faith in a montain). In Fushimi Inari hike, known as “Oyama Meguri” in Japanese, we visit the sacred mountain to find what Japanese people believed through thousands of years. I’ll guide you to this fascinating experience. 合掌

たけちよ

Previous post

Fushimi Inari facts 4: The history over 1300 years 伏見稲荷の歴史英語で説明

Fushimi Inari Taisha has a history of over 1300 years. In this post, I'll show you it in chronical order. 合掌

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.14

Overview 概説

We visit three peaks where deities is. In English, you can say “conquer Mt. smth” but we never say that in Japanese due to our attitude toward nature.

Oyama Meguri is:

七里ヶ浜親方

In summer, have water, insect repellent and anti-itch bug bite cream or something. Without them, you would be in 修羅場(toughest situation).

シカさん

There are small stores and restaurants in the mountain. Drinks and foods are available but medicines are NOT.

The main hall 御本殿

This is a Troii gate, the entrance of Fusimi Inari Taisha. The gate tells a sacred and secular world.

Behind it, the Romon gate and the main hall where five deities are enshrined.

Behind the main hall, a tunnel of Torii gate starts. This is a prelude to Oyama Meguri.

Okusya Houhai Jyo 奥社奉拝所

Okusya/ Okunomiya 奥社/奥宮

After Senbon Torii, we’ll be in front of Okusha/ Oku no Miya. To the left, there is a path with many Toriis.

Neagari-san 根上がりさん

In minutes, we’ll find a pine tree. It is Neagari-san popular among investors.

When we visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, we expect Goriyaku there. In this post, I’ll show you what Goriyaku and the way they are generated. 合掌

What is Goriyaku?

Definition

Goriyaku (ご利益) is a help something sacred, especially deities, could give to us. There are Goiryaku for anything we want: Love, health, prosperity, and so on.

七里ヶ浜親方

Goriyaku is a help, not what we want itself. I’m sure most of all Japanese people sometimes believe they could get what they want with their deeds, attitudes and a help of deity.

There are general Goriyaku and specific ones depending on deities or places enshrine them. The following ones are popular Goriyaku and the place we could have them.

Health

Health is the priority. We seek Goriyaku for it. Many deities could help us. Especially Kannnon and Yakushi Nyorai, the buddhist deities and Okuni Nushi no Mikoto in Japanese mythology.

Epidemics

We suffered from epidemics for centuries. Deity who could save us from Gozutenno, the Buddhist deity.

Yasaka shrine used to be a Buddhist temple and enshrined Gozutennno. He was fused with Susano no Mikoto, the deity enshrined Yaska shrine today. Gion Matsuri is held to get rid of epidemics every summer for over 1100 years because and their bond is still alive.

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.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.06.20

Enmusubi

No one is an island. Enmusubi means “Putting ご縁 together.” ご縁(pronounced “Goen”) literary means a bond.  Goen is based on an idea of Buddhism: Innen Shoki. In this idea, something causes an effect. In a nutshell, there are cause and effect lying behind anything we encounter. For example, you read the post I wrote due to some Goen between you and me.

Goen is an general idea but it usually means a bond for love in casual conversation. In this sense, popular deities are Susanoh no Mikoto and Okuninushi no Mikoto in Japanese mythology.

The most popular place for Enmusubi is Yasaka shrine basing on a story of Susano no Mikoto and Kushinada hime, his wife. Jishu shrine in Kiyomizudera is also famous because it enshrines the same deities.

Prosperity

Hope an honest person sees an honest wage. The popular deities would be help us are Ukanomitamano Mikoto, the Shinto deity and Ebisuten, the Buddhist deity.

The most famous place is Fushimi Inari. People believe that it could give success in business. Fusihimi Inari enshrines deities of agriculture and rice cultivating. People believe the the Goriyaku of them also promises the prosperity of their business.

Ebessan (Ebisuten) is also a deity for prosperity enshrined in many places. In January, Ebessan festival took place and many merchants visit them to have his Goriyaku.

Success in Learning

We are thinking reeds. The most famous place we could have it is Kitano Tenmangu shrine which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the most learned person in Japanese history. The Goriyaku is based on the faith of Goryo. In this faith, we enshrine vengeful sprits to save us. Ancient people believed they protect us with their enormous power.

Sugawara no Michizane was a prosperous bureaucrat in the Imperial court and his political rival ousted him with a conspiracy. He was relegated to Dazaifu and passeed away in despair. After his death, his phantom came back to Kyoto to scare people. They thought he protect them taking side with him.

Goriyaku depends on Deities

Overview

In this chapter, I’ll show you how Goriyaku is generated.

Goriyaku depends on Deities. Shinto shrine or Buddhis temple enshrines at least one deity. Their Goriyaku are derived from them or stories about them.

シカさん

People usually find Goriyaku of deities. They usually are based on something we cannot change. Like stories in Japanese mythology, or Sutras…something like that.

On the other hand, Goriyaku derived from the stories of deity or the place enshrines her. It depends on a… kind of rendition.

Usually, a deity has at least one Goriyaku, a general one or a specific one. Let us talk about Kiyomizudera as example.

たけちよ

ATTENTION: Under Shinbutsu Shugo( The fusion of Shinto and Buddhism), we don’t always tell Shinto deities and Buddhist ones exactly. And the Goriyaku of them are sometimes fused even today.

Deity herself/ himself

Kiyomizudera enshrines many deities and the most important one is Kannon. It is believed she is a deity save people in suffer. In a nutshell, she gives any kinds of Goriyaku.

シカさん

Goriyaku of Kannon herself is a general one. I guess the visitors of Kiymizudera ask for a help lots of things on their hopes. For example, some ask, “Good health for my grandma.” and some ask, “Give me a good partner.” and so on.

七里ヶ浜親方

Of course there a deity who has specific Goriyaku. For example, Toji enshrines Yakushi Nyorai who is a deity of Medicine. And he gives us Goriyaku for good health.

The story of deity/ shrine/ temple

Kiyomizudera used to be famous for Goriyaku of safe delivery and it is base on a story of the foundation of it.

Kiyomizudera was founded in 778. A monk make a small hut to enshrine Kannnon. And sometime later, the Shogun of the Imperial court visited Mt. Otowato where Kiyomizudera was located because he wanted embryos of Shika deer. It is believed that they were a good help for safe delivery.

Enchin, the founder of Kiyomizudera asked the reason why he was in the mountain and he told the reason. Enchin said to him that he has no right to kill animals for his wife and child’s sake.

The Shogun regretted himself and donated a part of his edifice as the main hall of Kiyomizudera temple to enshrine the statue of Kannon. And He and his wife had a baby.

On this story, people believed Kiyomizudera provides us with the Goriyaku of easy delivery.

シカさん

People usually find Goriyaku from a story of deity or a place enshrines her. It depends on a… kind of rendition. In Japanese, we often say, “We 授かる a baby.” 授かる(Pronounced Sazukaru) literary manes ” Something is given to us.” Behind the sentence, we have an idea: Something sacred gives us a baby. And in case of the Shogun, it is easy for people to think Kannon gives him and his wife a baby.

お福さん

The Goriyaku of safe delivery is a long lost one today. But we still can find Haraobi amulet at Jimusho (the booth we can have amulets). Haraobi is a cotton towel. When we are pregnant, we wrap it around the abdomen to keep the embryo warm.

Summary

As previously stated, Goriyaku is usually generated two ways: The deity her/himself or the story about them. We can have brochures in English at many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Check out who is enshrined and the story about her or the shrine/ temple. It will be a great help to understand the Goriyaku you could have.