While it is quite common in Japan to find shrines for matchmaking, the opposite also exists. Called “enkiri jinja,” these shrines specialize in cutting ties that no longer serve you.
What is Enkiri?
The Japanese word en (縁) is often translated as destiny or fate. While these translations come close, one gains a better understanding with its tangible representation: the red string of fate.
Like string, en can either be bound or cut. When one goes to a love shrine or temple, they pray for enmusubi, the joining together of one’s red string with another. When one goes to an enkiri shrine, they pray for the cutting of such ties. A shrine or temple typically specializes in one of these two, but there are also places of worship that offer both.
The practice of enkiri, while largely symbolic, represents cutting out the bad to make room for the good. One may be tied to a person, a place, or a circumstance. Whatever the form of attachment, one thing is clear: they wish to be free of it.
The Scariest Tie-Cutting Shrine in Japan
It is said that Japan has three major tie-cutting shrines: Enkiri Enoki in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, and Kadota Inari in Tochigi. Although, I would have to say that for the past few decades, Fushimi Inari has been known for its vermillion torii gates rather than its enkiri background. From what I’ve seen in Kyoto, Yasui Konpiragu is more known for tie-cutting, and on both occasions I’ve visited the place, it was always packed with people. The queue for the stone monument that supposedly helps you break ties is almost always unbearably long.
In any case, among the three known enkiri shrines, Kadota Inari is said to be the scariest, to the point that some people say it’s haunted. There are reports of people seeing a female ghost in the shrine grounds, for what is an urban legend without a vengeful female ghost? More than anything supernatural, however, the most terrifying thing at Kadota Inari is the votive plaques, because they give us a window into how dark the human heart can get.
Troubled Prayers at Kadota Inari
Like any other Shinto shrine, Kadota Inari allows pilgrims to write prayers on votive plaques upon their visit. The major difference, however, is that many of these wooden plaques appear to contain curses rather than prayers. Some go as far as to affix photos and write words like they hope the person would die, some write full names and even Twitter handles.
Below are photos of some of the prayer plaques I saw during my visit. Photos, names, and other identifying aspects have been blurred out.
It’s important to note here that not all prayers are filled with hate. Some simply wish to part ways peacefully, some want ties cut from illnesses, and some even prayed for the end of COVID.
Ladles with Holes
One other practice that’s observed at Kadota Inari is offering up ladles with holes in them. This is done to visualize bad ties pouring out of your life, the way water does when scooped with a broken ladle.
This practice is not as common as the votive plaques, but is not unique to Kadota Inari. It’s more common in shrines where people pray for safe childbirth, in which case, the holey ladle (pun intended) is supposed to symbolize ease in delivering the baby.
Some of the ladles in Kadota Inari look like they’ve suffered quite a beating, and I believe it shows the overall purpose of the place. At a glance, it may seem like a shrine with so much negative energy, but I like to think of it as a place where people leave their pent-up rage and sorrow. After all, one has to express these emotions for healing to truly begin.
Kadota Inari Video
How to Get to Kadota Inari
Kadota Inari (門田稲荷神社, かどた いなり じんじゃ)
Open 24 Hours
Official Website (Japanese only)
6-min walk from Yashu-Yamabe Station, Tobu Ikesaki Line
