Yoi Inari Shrine and Yoake Inari Shrine are historic Inari shrines in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture. Both are closely associated with the legendary story of the construction of Tatebayashi Castle, known as the Legend of the Fox’s Tail, and are important sites for understanding the history and cultural traditions of Tatebayashi.
Together with Obiki Inari Shrine, which was established as the guardian shrine of Tatebayashi Castle, the two shrines form a trio connected by the castle’s founding legend. According to the story, Yoi Inari Shrine marks the place where the fox began dragging its tail, while Yoake Inari Shrine marks the place where it finished. Their names are directly associated with these events.
The origin of these three Inari shrines is traditionally traced to a legend involving the Sengoku-period warrior Akai Yamashironokami Terumitsu.
On New Year’s Day in 1528, Terumitsu was traveling to Maimoku Castle when he encountered children capturing and tormenting a young fox. Feeling compassion for the animal, he gave the children some money and allowed the fox to escape.
That night, an elderly man dressed in formal court attire appeared before Terumitsu. He introduced himself as Shinzaemon, a divine messenger of Inari, and explained that the fox Terumitsu had rescued was one of his divine attendants.
The old man wished to repay Terumitsu for his kindness and told him that his current castle, Obukuro Castle, was not ideally suited for defense. By contrast, the area of Tatebayashi was naturally protected by surrounding wetlands and would make an excellent location for a castle. He predicted that a castle built there could become one of the finest strongholds in the region before disappearing.
Later that year, on the night of the Tanabata festival, a fox appeared before Terumitsu once again. This time it took the form of a white fox and led him toward Tatebayashi.
At a place known as Machibe, the fox began walking while dragging its tail across the ground. According to the legend, it traced the layout of the future castle, showing the shape and arrangement of its fortified sections.
The fox continued dragging its tail throughout the night. Around dawn, it reached the area of Kahoji, where it finally stopped. The fox then told Terumitsu that it would protect the castle as its guardian deity once construction was complete before disappearing.
Terumitsu regarded the mysterious event as a divine message and decided to build a castle at Tatebayashi. In 1532, he constructed Obiki Castle, later known as Tatebayashi Castle, and established Obiki Inari Shrine as the castle’s guardian shrine.
According to the tradition, he also enshrined Yoi Inari Shrine at the place where the fox began dragging its tail and Yoake Inari Shrine at the place where it finished.
Yoi Inari Shrine is located in Honcho 2-chome, Tatebayashi City. It is traditionally believed to stand at the place where the white fox began dragging its tail.
The name “Yoi” refers to the evening, reflecting the story that the fox began its journey in the evening. Because it marked the starting point of the tail-drawing journey, the shrine has also been known as Hatsuhiki Inari Shrine, meaning roughly “Inari Shrine of the First Pull.” It has also been called Samurai-be no Inari, after the surrounding area.
The shrine is traditionally said to have been established by Akai Terumitsu around 1532. It was later rebuilt by Sakakibara Yasumasa, who became lord of Tatebayashi Castle.
During the Edo period, successive lords of Tatebayashi showed great respect for the shrine. Every year during its festival, seven bales of rice from the lord’s storehouses were offered to the shrine, reflecting its close relationship with the castle.
This rice offering ended following the changes brought about during the Meiji period. However, local devotion continued. In 1910, Seiryu Shrine in Sakana-cho and its subsidiary shrine, Kotohira Shrine, were enshrined together with Yoi Inari Shrine, forming the shrine complex seen today.
The principal deity of Yoi Inari Shrine is Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, a deity traditionally associated with agriculture, food, and prosperity in business.
Other enshrined deities include Owatatsumi-no-Mikoto and Onamuchi-no-Kami.
The grounds also contain the subsidiary Seiryu Shrine and Kotohira Shrine, which are respected as local guardian deities. The shrine grounds cover approximately 384 square meters, with the worship hall, main sanctuary, and building for preparing sacred offerings arranged within the grounds.
Yoake Inari Shrine is located in Asahi-cho, Tatebayashi City. According to the legend, this is where the fox completed the layout of the castle and finished dragging its tail.
The name “Yoake” means “dawn,” reflecting the tradition that the fox completed its mysterious journey as the night came to an end.
Like Yoi Inari Shrine, Yoake Inari Shrine is traditionally said to have been established by Akai Terumitsu in 1532. It was later rebuilt by Sakakibara Yasumasa during the Tensho era and continued to receive the devotion of successive lords of Tatebayashi.
Whenever a new lord entered Tatebayashi, he is said to have visited the shrine. Each year, the domain also offered five bales of rice from its storehouses as a sacred offering.
These traditions illustrate the important role that Yoake Inari Shrine played in the spiritual protection of Tatebayashi Castle.
In 1910, the shrine was temporarily enshrined at Nagara Shrine in Daikan-cho. However, strong local devotion led to its return to its original site, where it continues to be carefully maintained by the local community.
The principal deity of Yoake Inari Shrine is also Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto. As an Inari deity, Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto has traditionally been worshipped in connection with agriculture, food, and prosperity in business.
Obiki Inari Shrine, Yoi Inari Shrine, and Yoake Inari Shrine are closely connected through the legend of Tatebayashi Castle’s construction.
The story of a white fox dragging its tail across the ground to reveal the castle’s layout has become one of the enduring legends associated with Tatebayashi. Each shrine represents a different part of the story: the beginning, the completion, and the castle itself.
The three shrines are located at different points around Tatebayashi, allowing visitors to follow the route described in the legend. Exploring them together offers an unusual way to discover the history of the former castle town.
The areas around the three shrines contain numerous attractions where visitors can experience the history and natural scenery of Tatebayashi.
Lake Jonuma and Tsutsujigaoka Park are among the city’s best-known sights. In spring, the park becomes famous for its beautiful azaleas, while lotus flowers add color to the lakeside landscape during summer.
The former site of Tatebayashi Castle, Obiki Park, the Chiaki Mukai Children’s Science Museum, and the Katai Tayama Memorial Museum of Literature are also located nearby.
Combining these sites with Yoi Inari Shrine and Yoake Inari Shrine creates an enjoyable walking route through Tatebayashi’s history and culture.
Yoi Inari Shrine and Yoake Inari Shrine, together with Obiki Inari Shrine, preserve one of Tatebayashi’s most distinctive castle legends.
The story of the white fox and its tail connects the three shrines with the founding of Tatebayashi Castle and offers a glimpse into the traditional beliefs and folklore that developed around Japanese castles.
For visitors exploring Tatebayashi, following the story from the place where the fox began its journey to the place where it reached its destination provides a memorable way to experience the history, legends, and religious traditions of this former castle town.