Imagine this gate. It stands as a vibrant splash of color against the urban landscape. This is the Taro Inari Shrine. A unique piece of Tokyo’s history.
Taro Inari Shrine offers a glimpse into the Edo period. During this era peace was kept by having the ruling provincial lords live close to the Shogun. These lords lived in grand walled estates. They were called Yashiki. Many Yashiki had shrines. People who lived there could pray at them. After the Edo period the Yashiki system ended. Estates were broken up. Shrines sometimes remained. Today you can find them scattered around Tokyo. They show where grand estates once stood.
I found the Taro Inari Shrine in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. It used to be the estate shrine of the Tachibana House. They ruled southern Fukuoka province on Kyushu Island. The estate and the shrine were established around 1660. This is the only remains of the old estate. Some lots are still in the hands of the original noble family. They seem to be in the hotel business.
The Taro Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami. Inari is the Japanese kami of many things. This includes improvement in the performing arts and household wellbeing. Inari also presides over business and general prosperity. Inari is linked to rice sake tea fertility foxes agriculture and industry.
The word “Inari” is an abbreviated term. It means “reaping of rice”. Rice was important in the Japanese diet. It symbolized miracles. Inari houses feeds and protects people. They may live a fulfilling life. Inari is widely venerated in Japanese culture.
What makes this shrine special? The Torii gate has been incorporated into the neighboring building. A torii shaped hole has been made in the building wall. No matter how crowded Tokyo gets you cannot ask the Gods to move.
Inari shrines are often marked by vermilion torii. They also have images of foxes. The foxes often wear red votive bibs out of respect. The color red is identified with Inari. Foxes are messengers of Inari. But people often think of them as the deity itself. The fox statues come in pairs. They represent male and female. The statues hold symbolic items. These items include jewels keys rice or fox cubs. Almost every Inari Shrine has a pair of these statues. They flank the altar or stand in front of the main sanctuary. The statues are stylized. They portray seated animals looking forward with their tails in the air.
Offerings are given at the shrine. Rice sake and other foods are given. These offerings appease the fox messengers. The messengers then plead with Inari. This is done on the worshipper’s behalf. Inari-zushi is a popular offering. It is a sushi roll of rice packed in fried tofu. Fried tofu is a favorite food of foxes. The Inari-zushi roll has pointed corners. They resemble fox ears.
Notice the absence of people in some artistic depictions of Taro Inari. This underscores a sense of loneliness within the composition. It invites reflection on the shrine’s enduring presence. It existed even as the world around it changes.
The Taro Inari stands as a testament to history. It embodies faith. It also shows adaptation. Its red gate is a reminder that even in the busiest city sacred spaces endure. They offer solace and connection to the past.