| Kyoto's
Business & Agriculture Shrine |
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in a southeast section of
Kyoto city. The Fushimi Inari (Fushimi being the name of the suburb in which the shrine is situated, Inari
formed from the abbreviation for ine-nari meaning 'ripening of rice') was first built on Mount Inari in
711. It is dedicated to Uta Mitami No Okami (the god of agriculture) and four other deities who oversee
the basic necessities of life; namely, food, clothing and shelter. In 816 the shrine was moved to its present location
at the foot of the mountain. During the feudal age the shrine was given the first grade of court rank, and in 1871
this honor was elevated to the level of Kampei Taisha, the highest status among national shrines.
Throughout history the Fushimi Inari Taisha has been one of the most important shrines in the country, especially
among the common people. The Inari is a deity widely worshiped because of its close association with the nation's
rice-centered agriculture. With the development of manufacturing, the deity also became respected as the guardian
of commerce. Today Fushimi Inari is regarded as the central shrine for over 40,000 other legally incorporated Inari
shrines throughout Japan. From rice farmers to automotive executives they come here to pray for good luck and prosperity
in their businesses. |
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Main Entry Gate
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1,000 Paper Crane Offering
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Shrine Messenger Fox
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N7-009-23>Lightbox
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Z2-086-12>Lightbox
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E5-032-28>Lightbox
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Shinto Priests
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Good Luck Fortune
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Wish Tablets & Senbazuru
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E6-101-05>Lightbox
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E6-101-18>Lightbox
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N4-012-19>Lightbox
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Heian Period Costume
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Living the Right Life
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Shrine Grounds Map
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E6-101-03>Lightbox
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E5-082-13>Lightbox
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N4-013-06>Lightbox
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Entrance to Torii Tunnels
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Fork in the Road
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Torii Detail
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Z2-086-36>Lightbox
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Z2-087-07>Lightbox
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E6-105-06>Lightbox
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Torii Tunnel
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Newly Donated Torii
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Endless Row of Torii
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N4-012-29>Lightbox
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E6-106-18>Lightbox
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N4-013-08>Lightbox
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Rest Stop Half Way Up Mountain
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Mini Torii Offerings
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Lighting a Candle
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N4-013-38>Lightbox
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Z2-087-32>Lightbox
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E6-101-31>Lightbox
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Torii Row
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Inside Torii Tunnel
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Torii in Forest
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Z2-087-13>Lightbox
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Z2-089-07>Lightbox
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Z2-088-12>Lightbox
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Private Shrine Altar
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Pathway Up Mount Inari
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Torii & Altar
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Z2-089-30>Lightbox
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Z2-088-20>Lightbox
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Z2-088-25>Lightbox
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Torii Offerings & Fox Statues
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Shimenawa Rope on Altar Rocks
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Torii Offering
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Z2-088-22>Lightbox
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E6-106-05>Lightbox
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Z2-089-32>Lightbox
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Mini Altar
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Altar Detail
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Stacks of Torii Offerings
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N9-099-05>Lightbox
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N4-014-14>Lightbox
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E6-106-13>Lightbox
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Altar with Candles & Foxes
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Votive Candles
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Torii Offerings & Lanterns
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N4-013-25>Lightbox
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Z2-088-30>Lightbox
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Z2-089-33>Lightbox
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Private Altar
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Inside Shrine Sanctuary
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Messenger Fox Figures
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Z2-088-34>Lightbox
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Z2-090-16>Lightbox
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Z2-090-05>Lightbox
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