Izumo Taisha is one of the oldest and most mysterious shrines in Japan, along with Ise. In fact, according to Japanese mythology, it is from here that Okuninushi, descended from the sky, began the creation of Japan and made the ancient region of Izumo the cradle of many of the legends of the country. Considered one of the most important places of the Shintoh religion, the origins of the sanctuary are unclear. The myth says that Amaterasu, the supreme deity of the Shintoh religion who would be the ancester of the imperial family, would have had the shrine built to thank Okuninushi for giving him his territory, after she sent two of her sons to claim it.
Amaterasu depicted in the center by Kunisada, 1856
If historically the origins of the sanctuary remain unclear, it is mentioned in the first Japanese history books dating from the 7th and 8th century, the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki. The present main hall was built in 1744 and is about 24 meters high, but archaeological excavations have proved that the previous building, built on pillars, would have been nearly 48 meters high, which would be the highest shrine in Japan.
The main pine alley leading to the sanctuary is reserved for the gods who gather there every tenth lunar month, that is to say around November. This month is called throughout the country Kannazuki (the month without gods) except in Shimane prefecture where it is obviously called Kamiarizuki (the month with gods). In the sanctuary, they decide the next harvests and the crossing of the destinies of humans, which is called en-musubi. It is therefore a very favorable time for romantic encounters!
The huge torii marking the entrance to the shrine set the tone for the majestic place. Visitors can only be impressed by the grandeur of Izumo Taisha, which is surrounded by a sacred forest that only magnifies its beauty. One finds, hanging on the hedge, a kind of gigantic braided rope called shimenawa that weighs more than 5 tons, and in a more amusing way, one can also see some rabbit sculptures referring to the the legend of Okuninushi and the hare, that we will tell you soon. The place is therefore a must for all lovers of Japanese mythology.
