Kasama Inari Shrine

Kasama Inari Jinja
笠間稲荷神社

New Years crowd at Kasama Shrine
Information
Type Inari Shrine
Dedicated to Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami as
Inari Ōkami
Founded 651
Address 1 Kasama, Kasama-shi, Ibaraki-ken
309-1611 Japan
Website www.kasama.or.jp/english/%20English
Glossary of Shinto

Kasama Inari Shrine or `Kasama Jinja` is one of the three largest Inari Okami shrines in Japan, having been awarded the ancient court rank of Senior First Grade. According to legends associated with the shrine, it was founded in 651 during the reign of Emperor Kotoku, indicating a history extending over some thirteen centuries.[1]

During the Tokugawa or Edo Period, Kasama Inari Shrine received the devoted patronage of the feudal lord of the Kasama Domain, and spread its influence not only through the Kanto region but throughout all of Japan. At present, the shrine is visited by more than 3.5 million pilgrims each year.[1]

The shrine is dedicated to Ukanomitama no kami - a spirit with jurisdiction over the five grains and foodstuffs, the life-root kami having mastery over the sources of life itself. According to the oldest collection of Japanese mythology, the Kojiki ("Records of Ancient Matters"), Ukanomitama no kami was the child of Susano no okami and Kamuoichihime no kami. The "Uka" in the name means foodstuffs, indicating the "mysterious spirit dwelling in the grain."[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Great Kami Inari & Kasama Inari Shrine". The Great Kami Inari and Kasama Inari Shrine. Shrine Office of Kasama Inari Jinja. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
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