Home - Rice Gods and the Fox
This is the first of a number of articles about various aspects of Japanese culture to be found in and around Kyoto. Hopefully this will give you a taste for things Japanese and gardens in particular and stimulate a desire to go and see for yourself. One thing that is very noticeable when visiting various sites is that there are two distinct religions practised in Japan (Buddhism & Shintoism - Christianity is not well represented in its ancient monuments) and that they are very different in both the structures in which they are practised and their respective iconography. This article looks at Shinto shrines, but first one needs to understand a little of the religion. Shinto was the indigenous religion based on the worship of many spirits or deities (kami) including the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami and the rice gods in particular. It is a naturalistic religion and such things as ancient trees, rocks, animals and mountains are revered with ceremonies for birth, rites of passage and the rice harvest. The Kamigamo shrine to the north of Kyoto by the Kamo river dates back to the 7 th Century and is dedicated to the thunder god.
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Heian-jingu Shrine in Kyoto |
There are some 200 Shinto shrines in Kyoto alone with major shrines identified by the torii entrance which signifies that the ground beyond is sacred and is characterised by its vermilion coloured, Chinese influenced architecture. The picture shows the stunning architecture (Chinese Tang dynasty style) of one of many buildings at the Heian-jingu Shrine, Kyoto. The complex includes a number of halls and temples of this style.
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Fushumi-inari Shrine in Kyoto |
Pairs of stone animals usually guard the entrances to shrines. These may be Korean dogs, monkeys, wolves, horses or in the case of the rice gods, the fox. The animal on the left in the picture is the female, with the mouth closed representing dark and evil forces, while the one on the right is the male with the mouth open. At Inari shrines (dedicated to the rice goddess, Princess Ukatama) the male fox holds a ball of wisdom in its mouth while the vixen holds the key to the rice store. The picture shows the vixen at Fushimi, which is Kyoto’s principle Inari shrine. The animals are to be seen wearing red bibs. The fence in the foreground has pieces of white paper tied to it (omikuji). These are sold as bamboo sticks with hidden good or bad luck symbols. The bad luck omikuji are left behind in hope that the gods will change their luck. Prayer strips are also found tied to bushes at these shrines.
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara |
Racks of old sake barrels are also to be found at shrines dedicated to the rice goddess, to bring good luck in the rice harvest and produce good sake. The picture shows the highly decorated sake barrels at the Kasuga Taisha shrine in the old capital city Nara. This shrine has some 3000 lanterns, a few of which can be seen in profile on the left and another hanging from the eaves of the roof. The lanterns are lit for special festivals.
Also at the Kasuga Taisha shrine is this ancient tree in which the Kami is deemed to live. You will note the shimenawa – rice straw rope – which surrounds the tree and signifies its sacred status and importance. 
A large branch of a nearby tree had been accommodated within the building seen behind, entering the wall and emerging from the roof. Such is the significance attached to ancient trees.
In the main sanctuary (honden) of a shrine is an object believed to be the abode of the kami to whom the shrine is dedicated. The hall of worship is often a separate building with a bell where the worshippers can pay their dues and ring the bell, clap three times to summon the kami and say their prayers.
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Heian-jingu Shrine in Kyoto |
Only a few of the shrines have gardens unfortunately – the ones at the Heian-jingu shrine are spectacular with a wonderful wisteria walkway, a splendid lily and iris pond and a large lake with a Chinese style covered bridge. The picture shows the renowned iris pond with a pavilion surrounded by clipped azaleas.
This article was written by David Burgess of Jade Pavilions.
Copyright Jade Pavilions 2005.
Manufacturers of award winning, configurable oriental teahouses, pavilions, bridges and entrances. More information about Jade Pavilions.
