Facts about Izumo Taisha in Japanese Myth

1. 05

   A massive sacred rope called a shimenawa, one of the largest in Japan, hangs at Izumo Taisha and marks the shrine as a place of divine presence.

   Izumo Taisha in Japanese MythJun 7shareshintoritualarchitecture
2. 04

   Okuninushi's transfer of the land to the heavenly deities at Izumo, known as Kunitsukami no Yuzuri, is a foundational myth explaining how earthly gods became subordinate to the heavenly pantheon.

   Izumo Taisha in Japanese MythJun 7sharemythologyshintojapan
3. 03

   In the tenth lunar month, Izumo Taisha hosts the gods of Japan so prominently that this month is called Kannazuki (Month Without Gods) everywhere in Japan except Izumo, where it is called Kamiari-zuki (Month With Gods).

   Izumo Taisha in Japanese MythJun 7sharemythologyritualshinto
4. 02

   The deity enshrined at Izumo Taisha is Okuninushi no Mikoto, a god credited in Japanese myth with building the land of Japan before ceding it to the heavenly deities.

   Izumo Taisha in Japanese MythJun 7shareshintomythologyjapan
5. 01

   According to Japanese myth, Izumo Taisha is the sacred gathering place where all the gods of Japan assemble each tenth lunar month to determine marriages and human relationships.

   Izumo Taisha in Japanese MythJun 7sharemythologyshintojapan