Izumo Taisha
EasternShintoshrineEast Asia700 CE - present
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Location
Modern Name
Izumo
Country
Japan
Region
East Asia
Coordinates
35.4019, 132.6854
Era
700 CE - present
Site Type
Shrine
About
One of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, god of nation-building and marriage, famous for its enormous shimenawa (sacred rope).
Significance
Second in prestige only to Ise; in October (the Month of Gods) all the kami of Japan are said to gather at Izumo to arrange marriages for the coming year.
History & Historical Arc
The shrine's origin is described in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki; tradition holds the original structure was as tall as a …
Archaeological Notes
Excavations in 2000 uncovered three enormous cedar columns bound together (diameter ~3m total), confirming the tradition…
Key Features & Structures
- Honden (main hall, 24m)
- Giant shimenawa (sacred rope, 13.5 tons)
Visitor Information
Open daily; the inner precinct has limited access except during festivals. The shrine is reached via the Ichibata Electr…
Related Figures
Okuninushi-no-Mikoto (deity)Amaterasu (deity)Kotoshironushi (deity)
In the Bible
Source References
- Kojiki, Book I (Okuninushi narrative)
- Nihon Shoki, Book II