Hatsuuma

Hatsuuma (First Day of the Horse in February)

Overview

Hatsuuma is a traditional Japanese event held on the first Day of the Horse in February according to the sexagenary cycle. Some reckonings instead count from the first Day of the Horse after Risshun (the start of spring), and the two do not always fall on the same date, so visitors should confirm the actual day with each shrine. On this day, Inari shrines across Japan conduct a festival called Hatsuuma-sai, where worshipers pray for abundant harvests, business prosperity, and family safety. The Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto hosts the most prominent celebration, known as the Hatsuuma Taisai, which has long been called a good luck pilgrimage.

The origins of this event are deeply connected to Inari worship. Inari literally means rice growing successfully and has been enshrined as a deity of agriculture overseeing the five grains. From the medieval period to the early modern era, as commerce and industry developed, Inari came to be revered not only as an agricultural god but also as a deity of clothing, food, housing, and various industries. Today, approximately 30,000 Inari shrines across the country hold ceremonies on Hatsuuma.

The date of Hatsuuma is determined by the Chinese zodiac system. In the past, days were counted using the twelve zodiac signs, and the first Day of the Horse that arrives in February became known as Hatsuuma. This period also coincides with the start of agricultural work, which likely facilitated the connection between Inari worship and farming.

History and Origins

According to shrine tradition, the origin of Hatsuuma dates back to the first Day of the Horse in February of 711 AD. It is said that on this day, the Inari deity first descended to the three peaks of Mount Inari in Kyoto. According to Fushimi Inari Taisha, during this period, unfavorable weather conditions continued nationwide, leading to poor grain harvests for several years. When the deity was enshrined on Mount Inari in Yamashiro Province, the five grains began to flourish abundantly, and the country prospered. The day of this enshrinement is believed to be the first Day of the Horse in February of 711.

The figure of Hata no Irogu is deeply involved in this enshrinement tradition. He is traditionally regarded as the founder of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and his name is also the origin of the word for field greens, a food associated with Hatsuuma in Kyoto. Food traditions connected to the color of fox fur are also transmitted through Hatsuuma, showing the connection between Inari worship and food culture. The founding of Fushimi Inari Taisha is attributed to the Hata clan, and the technology and culture they brought from the continent are thought to have formed the foundation of Inari worship.

By the Heian period, the custom of making a pilgrimage to Inari shrines on Hatsuuma had already been established. In the historical text Okagami, completed in the early 12th century, there is a passage describing nobles bustling to visit Inari shrines on Hatsuuma. Additionally, in the poetry collection Tsurayuki-shu from the mid-10th century, there is a poem about visiting an Inari shrine on Hatsuuma. These records indicate that the Hatsuuma pilgrimage was an established practice among Heian aristocracy.

In the medieval and early modern periods, Inari worship expanded as a deity of commerce and industry. During the Edo period, many Inari shrines were established in urban areas, and the practice of praying for business prosperity spread among merchants. Worship groups called Inari-ko were formed, and regional customs developed, such as erecting banners and offering fried tofu and red rice. During this period, Hatsuuma became established as a nationwide annual event, with each region developing its own unique customs.

In modern times, while Hatsuuma maintains its traditional character as an agricultural prayer event, it is widely cherished as an occasion to pray for business prosperity and family safety. Even small Inari shrines near schools and offices hold modest ceremonies, providing opportunities to strengthen regional community bonds. The custom of eating inarizushi or visiting Inari shrines on Hatsuuma has been passed down through generations.

Highlights

The Hatsuuma Taisai at Fushimi Inari Taisha At Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Hatsuuma Taisai is held on the first Day of the Horse in February each year. The ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m. at the main hall, where Shinto priests recite prayers and offer sacred branches. Worshipers praying for business prosperity and family safety form long lines from early morning, and the sight of them passing through the famous thousand torii gates toward the main hall is truly impressive.

Distribution of the Shirushi no Sugi During the Hatsuuma Taisai, a lucky charm called Shirushi no Sugi, or marked cedar branch, is bestowed upon worshipers. This tradition originates from the Heian period when people making pilgrimages to Kumano would stop at Fushimi Inari Taisha on their way home and receive a cedar twig as proof of their safe return. Today, it is given as a talisman for business prosperity and family safety, and worshipers can receive it for a fee.

Enjoying Inarizushi On Hatsuuma day, the custom of eating inarizushi, sushi wrapped in fried tofu, is widespread throughout Japan. This practice stems from the belief that foxes, messengers of the Inari deity, love fried tofu, and people began offering sushi wrapped in fried tofu at the shrine. Sweet and savory simmered fried tofu pouches filled with vinegared rice become a common sight at supermarkets and specialty shops during the Hatsuuma season.

Shimotsukare: Regional Cuisine of Northern Kanto In Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki prefectures, a local dish called shimotsukare is eaten on Hatsuuma day. This warm dish is made by simmering salmon heads, leftover beans from Setsubun, and root vegetables in sake lees. It is offered at Inari shrines along with red rice. There is a folk belief that eating it prevents illness, and in some regions, the dish is so ingrained that people say Hatsuuma has not arrived unless they have eaten shimotsukare.

Hatsuuma Dango and Silkworm Prayers In regions where sericulture was once thriving, such as Gifu and Toyama prefectures, there is a custom of eating Hatsuuma dango, special rice dumplings, on Hatsuuma day. These dumplings are shaped to resemble silkworm cocoons and are eaten in the hope of a plentiful harvest of cocoons. The white, round dumplings are offered at Inari shrines before being shared and enjoyed by families.

Field Greens in Mustard Dressing: A Kyoto Food Tradition In Kyoto, there is a tradition of eating field greens dressed with mustard on Hatsuuma day. This custom is said to derive from the name of Hata no Irogu, the founder of Fushimi Inari Taisha, combined with the color of fox fur. The slightly bitter taste of the greens dressed with mustard evokes the arrival of spring and adds vibrant color to the Hatsuuma dining table.

Children and Inari-ko Group Events In the Kanto region, Inari worship groups conduct activities on Hatsuuma day. Children may spend time beating drums at Inari shrines or even stay overnight at the sacred grounds. These events, watched over by local adults, serve as opportunities for children to interact with each other and for traditions to be passed down to the next generation.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Annually on the first Day of the Horse in early February according to the Chinese zodiac. The specific date changes each year, so consult the official website for the most current schedule. Some regions observe the date based on the old lunar calendar.
• Locations: Festivals are held at Inari shrines throughout Japan. Representative shrines include Fushimi Inari Taisha in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and Toyokawa Inari in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Access to Fushimi Inari Taisha: Immediately from Inari Station on the JR Nara Line, or approximately a 5-minute walk from Fushimi Inari Station on the Keihan Main Line. Public transportation from Kyoto City is convenient.
• Admission: The shrine grounds and worship are free of charge. The Shirushi no Sugi charm is distributed for a fee.
• Visiting Hours: The shrine is open for worship all day, but the main ceremony typically begins at 8 oclock in the morning. Early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds.
• Contact: Fushimi Inari Taisha at telephone number 075-641-7331. Always check the official website for the latest event schedule and availability.

Surrounding Area

The area around Fushimi Inari Taisha is dense with tourist attractions. Mount Inari, which extends behind the main shrine buildings, features a path lined with approximately 10,000 vermilion torii gates leading up to the summit, an awe-inspiring sight for visitors. The round trip to the summit takes about two hours, with numerous small shrines and teahouses dotting the path along the way. After visiting the shrine, enjoying a walk along the quiet mountain trails while taking in the natural beauty is another way to appreciate the Hatsuuma pilgrimage.

Nearby temples such as Tofuku-ji and Sanjusangen-do are also located close by, and many visitors plan their Kyoto sightseeing around Hatsuuma day. Additionally, Fushimi Ward is known as one of Japans premier sake brewing regions, with museums such as the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and Kizakura Memorial Hall scattered throughout the area. After visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha on Hatsuuma, tasting sake at one of the Fushimi sake breweries adds to the atmosphere.

Numerous restaurants and souvenir shops line the streets around the shrine grounds. Many establishments serve inarizushi, each with their own unique recipe to welcome worshipers. Souvenirs shaped like foxes and traditional Japanese sweets related to the Inari shrine are also popular, making them suitable mementos of the Hatsuuma visit. These shops become particularly lively during the Hatsuuma season.

Related Information

• Ninou and Sannou: The second and third Days of the Horse that occur in February following Hatsuuma are called Ninou and Sannou respectively. In some regions, events are also held on these days.
• Hatsuuma Based on the Old Lunar Calendar: While Hatsuuma generally refers to the first Day of the Horse in February of the solar calendar, some regions still conduct their observances on the first Day of the Horse in February of the old lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar date can fall in late March in some years, visitors should note that event dates may vary by region.
• Fire Prevention Superstitions: Customs of avoiding fire on Hatsuuma day can be found throughout Japan. In Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures, traditions include not drinking tea or heating bathwater on this day, and there is a folk belief that if Hatsuuma comes early in the year, there will be many fires.
• Hata Ame: In some regions, there is a custom of eating a candy called hata ame on Hatsuuma day. This candy is shaped like a flagpole and is said to have been eaten to pray for abundant harvests in sericulture and agriculture.
• Hatsuuma Inari Day: February 11 has been designated as Hatsuuma Inari Day by the All Japan Inarizushi Association. This commemorative day was established to express gratitude for daily health and harvests and to pray for family happiness. However, February 11 does not always coincide with the actual Hatsuuma date.
• The Hatsuuma Festival at Toyokawa Inari: Toyokawa Inari in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture, also holds a major festival on Hatsuuma day. Toyokawa Inari, along with Fushimi Inari Taisha, is considered a sacred site of Inari worship, and numerous worshipers praying for business prosperity visit on this day.

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