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A popular shrine known to the local populace as ”Oinari-san”Kasama Inari Shrine in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture claims a history of 1360 years, its establishment said to go back to 651 AD. A village named Kasama is clearly recorded in the history book ”Hitachinokuni Fudoki”(circa 713AD), and it is thought that by around this time, it was a place of worship for people. The deity enshrined is ”Ukanomitama No Kami”. A diety for harvest, business, luck and protection from fire, the shrine has won respect as the trustworthy ”Oinari-san” (name indicating respect and friendliness towards the deity) from ancient times. Ibaraki Prefecture was struck by a level 6 (out of 7) tremor in the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and earthquakes of a smaller scale are still continuing. To avoid secondary damage, the shrine has temporarily taken down the ”Torii” gate, and repairs of the main shrine (designated as an Important National Cultural Asset) is on hold until the quakes settle down. However, that doesn’t stop people from visiting the shrine, and for them, they are proceeding to repair various buildings and facilities within the premises. |
The ”naorai” ritualWhen Nakata finished worshipping, they lead him to a room where there was food on the table. Prompted by the shrine staff, Nakata set forth to eat. Seafood, beans, ”kanpyou” (dried gourd) etc. It is an important custom to treat guests with food that was once offered to the deities. |
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ACCESS
- Kasama Inari Shrine
- 1 Kasama、Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture
- URL http://www.kasama.or.jp/english/index.html