Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine

Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine stands in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto, at the foot and summit of Inari Mountain (233 metres). It is the head shrine of the nationwide Inari network. The principal enshrined kami (shusaijin) is Uka-no-Mitama-no-Okami, with four subsidiary deities: Sada-Hiko-no-Okami (identified with Sarutahiko), Ōmiya-no-Me-no-Okami, Tanaka-no-Okami, and Shi-no-Okami, together known as the Five Inari Great Deities.

According to the shrine records and the *Fudoki* (regional gazetteer, 8th century) of Yamashiro province, the shrine was founded in 711 when Hata no Iroku enshrined three deities on the three peaks of Inari Mountain. The *Engishiki* (Procedures of the Engi Era, 927 CE) lists it in the Register of Shrines as a shrine of the highest rank. It received the Court rank of Senior First Rank in 942, and the present main hall (honden), now designated Important Cultural Property, was constructed in 1438.

The mountain precinct contains thousands of vermillion *torii* (gate markers) arranged along approach paths (sando), remnants of ancient sacred mountain worship. The shrine's major annual observances include the New Year festival on the first Day of the Horse in February—the largest Inari celebration, commemorating the 711 foundation—the Inari Festival in April, and the Fire Ritual on 8 November.