Toyokawa Inari Shrine Gets Modernization to Celebrate Its 580th Anniversary

Temples and Shrines in Japan are often a place where people meet and do community activities, but unfortunately, the number of people attending events at them has decreased by approximately 1.26 million people in the last year due to the coronavirus.

Toyokawa Inari, is a Buddhist temple (although its name could confuse it with a Shinto shrine), based in Aichi Prefecture, which is celebrating its 580th anniversary. Not wanting to let the year go by without celebrating, the temple asked for help. to the creative company NAKED, INC. Working together, they came up with an innovative idea that will allow people to participate in evening prayers and events, while promoting social distancing and anti-contagion measures.
The collaboration, called “Toyokawa Inari x Naked YORU MO-DE” will kick off on July 22, 2021. Toyokawa Inari hopes the event will become the new practice, even after the post-coronavirus world.

The collaboration features several displays of interactive lights, which the organizers describe as “art actions against the coronavirus,” such as “NAKED Tsukubai” hand cleaning fluid, “NAKED Distance Lantern ®” and “FOX MASK” masks.

NAKED Tsukubai

The NAKED Tsukubai is, at the same time, an applicator of liquid to sterilize the hands and a projection of lights. This time, he will introduce roses, which are the flowers Toyokawa is famous for. The applicator sprays the hands as if they were flowers falling on them.

NAKED Distance Lantern

Available in two designs, the “NAKED Distance Lantern” encourages social distancing, casting a circular light in the shape of roses or a fox towards the ground where the person carrying the lantern is standing.
The circular projection will help visitors to notice the distance between them.

FOX MASK

This kitsune mask is made in collaboration with the handmade fox mask shop “Ichinen Kitsune” from Toyokawa City. The mask glows in the dark due to its phosphorescent qualities, adding a special touch to the night in the temple. In addition, the mask offers protection against condensation from other people’s breath.

With all these methods to stay safe in Toyokawa Inari, you will be able to enjoy the “YORU MO DE” event, which includes a light show in the temple, an illumination made entirely with classic lanterns in direct reference to omikuji (fortune reading) with ” NAKED Hanamikuji”

And if you are wondering why Toyokawa Inari is a Buddhist temple, despite its name, the images of foxes and the torii gate at the entrance, which are usually characteristic of the Shrines, it is because its official name is really Enpukuzan Toyokawa. -kaku, Myōgon-ji (円福山 豊川閣 妙厳寺).

Until the Meiji period, the organization of religion in Japan was known as “Shinbutsu-shugo”, which was based on a mixture or coexistence between Shinto and Buddhism. When Buddhism arrived in Japan in the 6th century, the population tried to make more sense of it by interconnecting it with Shinto beliefs. This resulted in many temples and shrines being established in the same place, and considered as a unit. This is very common even today.
It was this blend of religions that led to the strong presence of Shinto at Toyokawa Inari temple. Through the teachings of this temple, the Buddhist entity Juichimen Kannon is identified as a manifestation of Toyokawa Dakinishinten, who, in Japanese Buddhist beliefs, is depicted as riding a white fox. During the time of the Shinbutsu-shugo, this image was associated with the Shinto god of food, agriculture, and rice, Ukanomitama. This connection between Toyokawa Dakinishinten of Buddhism and Ukanomitama of Shinto is what led to the strong Shinto presence at the temple.
Although Shinto artifacts can be found in the temple, Toyokawa Inari is a Buddhist temple of the Soto sect, and has no religious connection to Shinto.

Toyokawa Inari x NAKED YORU MO DE

Location: Toyokawa Inari (aka Enpukuzan Toyokawa-kaku, Myōgon-ji) 1 Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa-shi, Aichi 442-8538
Date: July 22, 2021 – July 31, 2021
*after July 31, the event will take place every 22 of each month.
Hours: 18:00-23:00

Aichi is very easy to get to by train , including the super- fast Shinkansen or bullet train , making it a comfortable ride from Tokyo. And although it is possible to travel by plane, bus or boat, the train offers the best prices and convenience of all . To have an even better price, we recommend traveling with the Japan Railways universal pass called JR PASS , which can be purchased on their website. This pass is purchased before traveling to Japan , arriving at the airport or at any train station , you can pick up your pass with proof of purchase .