※Translated with Notion AI. (Plus version)
I recently told you about how I, an American, was fascinated by the mysteries of Japanese temples and shrines.
Walking aimlessly around Ginza and Akasaka in Tokyo, you’ll find fox statues staring at you as if to say, “Go home quickly.”
In the bustling streets of Tokyo, there are many shrines dedicated to “Inari.“
However, who or what exactly is “Inari”?
Why are “foxes” enshrined?
Are foxes the “national beast”?
To add to the confusion, the places where “Inari” is enshrined are not uniform, with both shrines and temples.
The mystery only deepens.
Visiting several “Inari Shrines” in Tokyo, most of them were shrines.
However, the Tokyo branch of Toyokawa Inari, one of the three major Inari in Japan, was a temple of the Soto sect (Zen sect).
Why is it not unified?
This question is endless.
So, I decided to visit Toyokawa Inari, the closest of the “Three Great Inari of Japan” to Tokyo, and took the Shinkansen to Toyokawa Inari.
I was introduced to a veteran historical guide in Toyokawa by my Tokyo historical guide from last time, and heard stories at a local bar.
This time, I would like to share that story.
Until I returned to Tokyo, I mostly believed what the historical guide said.
However, just before this contribution, I received a well-meaning correction from a knowledgeable Japanese person and learned that there was a biased explanation from the guide.
I learned that I cannot talk about Japanese temples and shrines without a deep knowledge of “Haibutsu Kishaku.”
I deeply regret that I should not have talked about Japanese temples and shrines with my shallow knowledge.
Still, I believe that sharing my experience will provide an opportunity for people in Japan to deepen their understanding of temples and shrines.
Please bear with me.
Toyokawa Inari was a fox village. But….
