Virtual Edo Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #11 Hanazono-Inari-jinja Shrine

 

     It is unknown when Shinobugaoka Inari Shrine was founded.  It is unknown why today's Ueno Plateau used to be called Shinobugaoka.  The pond at the foot of the plateau was called Shinobazunoike.  According to tradition, Priest Tenkai (1536-1643) dug a cave for foxes who had lost their dens when Tenkai built Kan'ei-ji Temple on the hill.  He also built a small shrine for Inari God as foxes were believed to be messengers of the god.  As it had the cave, it was commonly called Ana (namely Hole) Inari.  As it was surrounded by the flower gardens of Kan'ei-ji Temple, it was also commonly called Hanazono (namely Flower Garden) Inari.

     The original small shrine was destroyed in the 1640 Keian Kawagoe Earthquake, which shook the Kanto Region, and in which the head of Ueno Daibutsu fell.  Priest Kokai of Hongaku-in Temple, which had been moved to Ueno in 1637, revived the shrine in 1654.

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