Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 3.2
Kasama Inari Shrine
not been systematically classifi ed. Besides functioning as an agricultural God in
rural areas, the Inari belief has also become a God of commercial prosperity and a
cure for diseases in urban areas (followers believe in a fox God who can possess
believers). These varied views indicate the complexity of the Inari belief system
(Miyata 1983 ). The area of the belief ranges from the Fushimi Inari in Kyoto on a
national scale, to Kasama Inari (Ibaraki), Takekoma Inari (Miyagi), Toyokawa Inari
(Aichi), and Yutoku Inari (Saga) on a regional (or prefectural) scale (Higo 1983 ). 1
According to the shrine history, Kasama Inari was founded around 650-654, but
the exact date is unclear. From the seventeenth to nineteenth century, the faith was
called Monzaburo Inari and Kurumi ga shita Inari , and included followers from
neighboring areas. In 1743, the land and the shrine building were expanded by
Masakata Inoue, the Feudal Lord of Kasama. In 1747, when Michisada Makino
became the local lord, he worshiped at Kasama Inari, reserved the Kasama Domain
as a place of prayer, and dedicated land and festive events. After this date, Kasama
Inari was worshiped by successive lords of the Kasama Domain, and believers of
Kasama Inari increased. The enshrined deity at Kasama Inari is known as
Ukanomitama no kami , who is believed to be the God of agriculture (i.e., fi ve types
of grain, cattle breeding, fi shing, sericulture, commerce, and industry), transportation,
and fi re prevention.
1 Inari shrines, which originated as branches of Fushimi Inari, are widely distributed throughout
Japan. Umeda ( 1983 ) writes that the Kasama Inari is merely one branch of Fushimi Inari, which
the Kasama Inari denies.
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