Kasama Inari Shrine

Located in Kasama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The deity enshrined is Uka no Mitama no Kami. In ancient times, it was also called Monzaburo Inari or Kurumishita Inari. According to the shrine's legend, it was founded during the Hakuchi period (650-654) of Emperor Kokutoku. In the Edo period, it was revered by successive lords of Kasama Castle, and the shrine grounds and buildings were expanded one after another, becoming known throughout the Kanto region. It is a former village shrine. The annual festival is held on April 9th. Other special rituals include the Tsuina ceremony (Setsubun), the Hatsuuma Festival (Hatsuuma Day in February), and the Otaue Festival (May 10th). The main hall (an important cultural property) was built in the late Edo period, and the carvings on the sides are particularly intricate. The two wisteria trees on the grounds are over 400 years old and are designated as prefectural natural monuments.

[Motegi Sadazumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

茨城県笠間市笠間に鎮座。祭神は宇迦之御魂神(うかのみたまのかみ)。古くは紋三郎(もんざぶろう)稲荷または胡桃下(くるみした)稲荷ともよばれた。社伝によれば、孝徳(こうとく)天皇の白雉(はくち)年間（650～654）に創祀(そうし)されたという。江戸時代に入り、累代の笠間城主の崇敬を受け、社地・社殿の拡張が相次ぎ、関東一円にその名を知られるようになった。旧村社。例祭は4月9日。そのほか、追儺(ついな)式（節分）、初午(はつうま)祭（2月初午の日）、御田植(おたうえ)祭（5月10日）などの特殊神事がある。本殿（重要文化財）は江戸末期の建築で、とくに側面の彫刻は精巧を極めている。境内の藤樹2株は樹齢400年に及び、県の天然記念物。

［茂木貞純］

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