Spatial Structure of Japanese Religion - Geography of Religion in Japan: Religious Space, Landscape, and Behavior - page 41

Fig. 3.3 Kiku Festival of Kasama Inari Shrine

1. Worshipers at Kasama Inari who take part in religious activities for the benefi t
of the shrine. Kasama Inari worshipers who pray in the sanctum, 2 including ko
members, and general worshippers who do not step into the sanctum, but pray
for traffi c safety.
Most worshippers worship privately at the shrine. According to the local govern-
ment, about two million people pray at Kasama Inari every year, mainly at New
Year and the Kikumatsuri . However, if direct worship is impossible, perhaps
because of remoteness or physical conditions, many believers have amulets
mailed to them describing the content of prayers. The traffi c safety prayer
usually involves a ritual with a car. After a Shinto priest has prayed for no acci-
dents and safety, the worshippers receive amulets.
2. The second group involves Inari dedications that are usually made by believers
to express their appreciation to the God. At Kasama Inari , dedications are usu-
ally of money or agricultural produce, including brown rice and white rice, veg-
etables, sake, new tea leaves, or fl owers.

2 Worshipers entering the sanctum receive a prayer from a Shinto priest by stepping into the wor-
ship hall. Kasama Inari organizes ko prayers for 12 persons or more (group worship), and ordinary
prayers for individuals (individual worship). There are several different types of prayers. With
group worship, they can be classifi ed into the tsuru (crane) style and kame (turtle) style. Besides
prayers, kagura (Shinto dance and music) is used as the dedication, and a grand prayer ceremony
usually involves a music dedication.