“Who are Araiguma, Mitsuume, and Mikenshin?” I ask you now, standing before this very special place. This is the story of the Araiguma, Mitsuume, and Mikenshin Shrine in Kyoto. It is a place shrouded in mystery.
The Mitsuume Shrine, also known as Mitsuume Inari, enshrines three deities. One is Mitsuume no Kami. This shrine also houses Araiguma no Kami and Mikenshin no Kami. The exact origins of the Araiguma, Mitsuume, and Mikenshin Shrine remain unknown. Details about its founding are not clear.
The shrine is located in Kawabata-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. It sits on a plaza in front of the Sojin residence. You’ll notice a water basin nearby. The shrine also features a main hall.
While the specific virtues of the enshrined deities are unclear, their presence adds to the spiritual landscape of Kyoto. The fact that the shrine also houses Araiguma and Mikenshin no Kami is very interesting. Araiguma-the Kanji translated means raccoon. This could be a reference to the shapeshifting deity Inari.
Inari Okami is the god of rice and agriculture. Inari is also associated with industry, business, and prosperity. Inari also stands for fertility. The kitsune or the foxes are the messengers of Inari. The deity uses kitsune or foxes as their messengers. They sometimes take their form as well. These foxes themselves have supernatural powers as well.
Consider the possibility that Araiguma may be the fox deity Inari. The shrine’s dedication to multiple deities highlights the intricate tapestry of Shinto beliefs. Though its history is vague, the Araiguma, Mitsuume, and Mikenshin Shrine offers a moment for reflection. It encourages visitors to contemplate the unseen forces that shape our lives.