Was it divine will or mere chance that led to the creation of this shrine? Welcome to the story of Shibongi Inari Jinja. This Shinto shrine is located in Tokyo’s Kita Ward. It stands as a testament to the area’s rich history.
The exact year of Shibongi Inari Jinja’s founding remains shrouded in mystery. Its existence became clearly documented around 1905. This coincided with the relocation of the army’s “Fire Arms Factory”. This later became the Tokyo First Army Arsenal.
Before the factory, the area was known as Shichiken-chō. It was a district that predated present-day Jūjō. The name Shichiken came from the seven farmers who once lived here. Within this district stood a branch shrine of the Oji Inari Shrine called Shibongi Inari Jinja. The shrine got its name from being surrounded by four types of trees. These were oak, cedar, cypress and chinquapin.
When the factory was built, Shibongi Inari Jinja transitioned. It went from a guardian of Shichiken-chō to a shrine within the army factory. Some believe that the shrine’s establishment was linked to appeasing spirits. It is said that the construction disturbed ancient tombs. Accidents occurred after the factory’s operation began. This led people to fear divine retribution. Thus, the shrine was revered as a guardian of the factory.
Originally, Shibongi Inari Jinja was near the Jūjō Garrison. Later it moved to the former Inari Park. This is now part of the Kita Ward Central Park. During this transition the army took control of Shibongi Inari Jinja. This raised concerns about the destruction of ancient tombs. After the factory’s accidents, the shrine became a place to pray for safety.
The current location of Shibongi Inari Jinja was once the army’s Takinogawa factory. Before the factory, there was an unnamed small shrine. When the factory was established, a spirit from the Shibongi Inari Jinja was invited to this shrine. So the factory had two Shibongi Inari Jinja shrines. Rituals were performed jointly at both shrines.
Due to military secrecy and explosion risks, public access was restricted. However on the day of the first horse festival people could visit. They could pray and even set up stalls. After the war, the shrine was managed by local residents. The Takinogawa shrine became affiliated with the Shinto Taikyo. It began enshrining “Yomoto Mikoto Okami”.
The Jūjō shrine was later abolished due to park expansion. Its main hall was moved to the Takinogawa shrine. This unified Shibongi Inari Jinja. In 2019, the Shinto Taikyo headquarters began directly managing the shrine.
Many items at the shrine were donated by factory workers. These include the main hall from the Jūjō shrine. There is also a purification fountain. A memorial tower honors those who worked at the munitions factory.
Regarding the shrine’s name, various readings exist. Historically, locals pronounced “Shihon” as “Yomoto”. Some claim the “Yomoto” reading is a modern misinterpretation. Today, the Shinto Taikyo officially recognizes the name as “Yomoto Inari Jinja”.
As you stand here, remember the story of Shibongi Inari Jinja. Its journey reflects the changing times and the enduring power of faith.