Member-only story
JAPANESE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Secrets of Iconic Japanese Inari Shrines
Why all the foxes and red gates?
For centuries, visitors to Kyoto have been charmed—and possibly tired out—by climbing the stairs through the thousands of red torii gates to the top of Mount Inari on the grounds of the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, the ancient “Vatican” of more than 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan.
What is an Inari Shrine?
The name Inari comes from the Japanese word for rice plant, ina. Inari is a composite of the fox spirit, several gods of agriculture, and the goddess of foodstuff, Uka no Mitama. Inari shrines honor this combined deity.
Inari is one of the most widely venerated kami, divine beings, in the indigenous Japanese Shinto religion.
At the beginning of the 8th century, Mount Inari, in Kyoto, became the center of worship of the fox spirit, the protector of grains. People prayed at the mountaintop Inari shrine for bountiful harvests, rainfall to come or end, and for the country’s safety.
As the years passed, Inari’s portfolio grew, taking on success in sericulture (raising silkworms for the production of silk) during the Heian Era (794–1185) and success in business and swordsmithing during the Edo Era (1603–1867).
Today, Inari has become the guardian of household peace and prosperity, successful studies, finding a suitable spouse, improving skills in the performing arts, and more.
In the early 9th century, at the behest of the Buddhist monk, Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, the original Inari Shrine was moved to its current location at the foot of Mount Inari. It was soon elevated to the highest rank for Shinto shrines. There is still a small shrine at the top of the mountain, and many smaller shrines and stone offerings along the way up.
During the Edo Era (1603–1867), Inari’s popularity boomed, and thousands of local Inari shrines were built around the country as a place to pray for good harvests, protection, and business prosperity…
