A travel tour to Shimane 島根 Japan would not be complete without a visit to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine 出雲大社. Izumo Taisha is one of the most important and ancient Shinto shrines in Japan.
The god of Izumo, "Okuninushi-no-Okami" is enshrined in Izumo Taisha and is also known as "En-musubi", the creator and arranger of relationships. These relationships are not simply those that bind people in marriage, but all relationships in society that bring happiness and good fortune. Japanese people travel from all around the country and all around the world to visit Izumo Taisha and pray for success.
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There are rumours that it is bad luck for a couple to visit the shrine because the god En-musubi becomes jealous and causes that couple to separate. This rumour is not recognised by officials at the shrine who encourage everyone to visit as they please.
Every October, all the gods in Japan gather at Izumo Taisha. The stylized name for October is Kannazuki 神無月 which means "Month without Gods". However, in the Izumo Region and Shimane it is known as Kamiarizuki 神在月 representing the gathering of gods in this region. The gods stay in specified lodging quarters on either side of the Main Shrine.
Remains of very large pillars from the original shrine have been excavated and are presented in the nearby Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. The museum also has several scale models predicting the appearance of the original shrine.
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There are rumours that it is bad luck for a couple to visit the shrine because the god En-musubi becomes jealous and causes that couple to separate. This rumour is not recognised by officials at the shrine who encourage everyone to visit as they please.
There is a particular technique for bowing at Izumo Taisha that differs from all other Shinto shrines in Japan. After making a donation to the collection box in front of the shrine, the normal procedure is:
1. Bow 2 times.
2. Clap 2 times.
3. Bow 1 time.
However, the exception at Izumo Taisha is this procedure:
1. Bow 2 times.
1. Bow 2 times.
2. Clap 4 times.
3. Bow 1 time.
Normally one clap is for the gods and one is for yourself, but at Izumo Taisha you also clap once more for the god En-musubi and for your partner.
The current main structure was re-created in 1744 and is 24 metres high. The establishment of the very original shrine is undetermined. According to ancient Japanese literature the original shrine was 48 metres high, making it the highest building at that time, higher than the temple of the Great Buddha in Nara, Todaiji 東大寺.
Remains of very large pillars from the original shrine have been excavated and are presented in the nearby Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. The museum also has several scale models predicting the appearance of the original shrine.
The Kagura-den is one of the sub-buildings that are part of the shrine. It boasts the largest Shimenawa 注連縄 (Sacred straw festoon) in all of Japan. You can notice people playing a game trying to lodge coins in the lower hanging part of the straw rope. People believe it is good luck if you can land a coin in the rope. Again, officials at the shrine do not acknowledge this, but don't mind that people continue this trivial challenge.
sanintabi.blogspot.com
sanintabi.blogspot.com
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