Origin and History:

Yakyu Inari Shrine was founded 1,300 some years ago. The first shrine is believed to have been completed in 712. The shrine's history describes that Taira no Tadatsune, the lord of Shimofusa country rebelled against the Imperial Court to invade into Musashi country.

The court ordered Minamoto no Yorinobu to hunt down and destroy Tadatsune. Yorinobu set a camp at Yakyu field and prayed for victory at the original Yakyu shrine.

After a little while, an arrow-shaped white cloud appeared in the sky and flew toward Tadatsune's camp.

Yorinobu believed this phenomenon would bring good message for him to destroy the enemy and Yorinobu overcame Tadatsune as a result. Yorinobu gave thanks to Kami and ordered to rebuild the shrine. Healso commanded village people to change the shrine name from Yakyu (野久: Field Long) to Yakyu (箭弓 Arrow and Bow). Since then,Yakyu Inari Shrine has been crowded with worshipers hoping for a peaceful and developed society.

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Response from Kami (Japanese God):

- Huge Harvest

- Prosperous Business

- Family's Safety and Prosperity - Traffic Safety

- Accomplishment of Arts

- Better Fortune

- Purification

- Wish Fulfillment

Faith and enshrined deities: Goddess possessing food

(E&OE)

Sanjo Kokaji Munechika was said as a skilled sword craftsman renowned in Heian period. One day, Enperor Ichijo ordered Munechika to create an excellent sword. Munechika thought that no sword would be made without his partner striking alternately the body of the blade with a hammer. Munechika visited to pray at the shrine for worship.

Just at that time, a noble little boy appeared to encourage and suggested Munechika to prepare for making a sword without any anxiety and then he disappeared away.

When Munechika came back home to prepare a work procedure, a disciple disguised by a fox (devine spirit) suddenly appeared to help Munechika to make an excellent sword "Kogitsune-maru" as a partner.

Note:

Kogitsune means a little fox.

A fox is believed as a servant of Kami (God).

His troop pretended to attack the fortress of So and then run away from the fortress. 

Then, So’s army pursued Kanshin’s troop and resulting in no soldier in the fortress. According to Kanshin’s order in advance, the 2,000 soldiers carrying red flags army took advantage of the situation to hang their flags on the fortress. 

When seeing such a sight, So’s army believed to lose their fortress.

One day, ChouRyo (Zhang Liang) failed to assassinate ShiKotei (Shi Huangdiand) and hid himself under the bridge.

The old man riding a house dropped his shoes from the bridge.

He asked ChouRyo to pick it up and he did for the old man.

The old man appreciated him and asked to meet here again in the morning after 5 days later as you’ll be given something variable.

Five days later, the old man came earlier than ChouRyo and said why you came so late and kept me waiting.  The old man ordered to come here again in the early morning after 5 days after. ChouRyo came here before sun rising and then the old man came to see ChouRyo. 

The old man said that modesty is important and gave him the military tactics and told that if you would read it you’ll be a strategist of the king after 10 years. After studying it and then ChouRyo became a capable strategist.

The word of Uro is originated in U (a crow) and Ro (a white egret). These two birds are related to a black stone and a white stone of Go game. Two legendary wizards are playing the game of Go and a wood cutter is interested in watching the game.

A long long time has been passed.

When a wood cutter came to notice it, his wooden handle of an ax had been spoiled.

A legendary Wizard's life is quite long and it differs from human beings. This story suggests us how to spend a life significantly and if we neglect our works a life will be collapsed.

When hooking with things long, we forget ourselves. Without worrying about the trifles and do always have generous feeling in our life.

Shiba Onko (Sima Guang) has been a well known a Chinese historian and a Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty (Hoku So period in China) in 1000 AD.

When he was a child, his friend fell down in the valuable large earthenware pot in error.

At that moment, without hesitation he threw a stone lying next to him to break the large pot to flush his friend out. He thought he should have be scolded heavily by his father as the valuable pot was damaged and broken. However, his father prised him for his quick wit and told him that nothing is more precious and irreplaceable than life.

Ichikawa Danjudo (the seventh generation) was one of the most famous Kabuki actors in 1800 era.

He is still famous and respected among Kabuki fan. Danjudo deeply worshiped Yakyu Inari Shrine to achieve the fulfillment of his Kabuki programs.

Praying sincerely, his performance had remarkably improved and he was admired among audience in Edo. He appreciated Kami's help and donated a small shrine made of stone (You can see it there). Since then, many artists have come to pray for improved performances.