160309-0018 - Sacred Torii Gates

Illustration of a row of red sacred torii gates at the Anamori Inari Jinja shrine (穴守稲荷神社) in Haneda, Tokyo.

The shrine is popular with pregnant women and parents.

Postcard published by the Kokkei Shimbun (滑稽新聞社発行) in 1908 (Meiji 41). The satirical publication was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34) by Osaka-based journalist Miyatake Gaikotsu (宮武外骨, 1867-1955) whose real name was Kameshiro Miyatake (宮武龜四郎).

Between May 1907 (Meiji 40) and June 1909 (Meiji 42), Kokkei Shimbun featured a supplement named Ehagaki Sekai (絵葉書世界, The World of Illustrated Postcards). Each issue contained 30 postcards, many giving salty social commentary. In total 26 issues were published, this card was published in Volume 14.

Under pressure from the authorities, Miyatake shut down the Kokkei Shimbun in 1909, ending it with a “Suicide Issue.”

Caption: 武藏羽田の稲荷大明神 (Musashi Haneda no inaridaimyojin) — Musashi Haneda Inari Daimyojin

Title: 奥深き淫祠 (Okubukaki inshi) — The deep perspective of a shrine of an evil deity