The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan

*WS59 – the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan*

Shintoism is the traditional religion of Japan that focuses on ritual practices first codified in the 8th century. Shinto today is the worship of a multitude of “kami” which may mean "spirit", "essence" or "god" in English. Rocks, trees, rivers, animals, objects, places, people all possess the nature of kami.     

Nearly 80% of the population in Japan participate in Shinto practices or rituals, but only a small number of these identify themselves as "Shintoists", not more than 5% of the population. The largest organised religion is Buddhism, with some 35% of the population, but many Buddhists do participate in Shinto rituals. Shinto has about 81,000 shrines in the country

“Inari” is the kami of rice, and often extended as the patron spirit of business. The shrine to “worship” Inari numbers some 32,000 in the country. 

On a sunny morning in 2018 we visited the “head” shrine of the “Inari”, known as the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Fushimi, Kyoto. The shrine was founded in 711, moved to the present location in 816. The main shrine building was completed in 1499, located at the foothill. Further up the path are the middle shrines and many other smaller structures. The paths are lined with toiji, the typical gate of Japanese shrines made of 2 uprights and 2 crossbars. 1st photo shows the main giant torji at the entrance to the shrine complex. 2nd photo shows the main temples. 

And it is this colourful toiji that make this place a popular tourist attraction. Each of the torii is donated by a Japanese business or individual. Details of the donor are given at the back of the pole, 6th photo. The fox is the messenger of Inari, and it holds the key to the rice barn. The last photo shows origami cranes, in batches of a thousand, presented as votive offerings.