Izumo Grand Shrine – Izumo Taisha – Japan's most important shrine?
As a big Kamisama Hamijemashita fan, the name Izumo Shrine is very familiar, as it is the location of the great meeting of the gods. Nanami attends for the first time in her new role as the land god. The shrine is highlighted as one of the most important shrines in Japan.
Long-term readers of the blog will know my first visit to Shimane was not a successful one due to rain and the closure of the prefecture's only railway; the trip went down as one of my worst. But that was last year! Recently I took a trip back into the prefecture to collect the Tandemaus Pokelid located at the lighthouse. This day trip allowed me to finally see Izumo Taisha, the grand shrine featured in the anime and widely regarded as one of the most important shrines in all of Japan.
Whilst no exact date can be found for the founding of the shrine, the shrine is most impressive and worth a visit. But visitors beware: Shimane is known as one of the most remote prefectures, and thus travel to and within the prefecture can be challenging. Those driving will have a much easier time. There are records dating from the 950 Heian period which name the Izumo shrine as the tallest at 48 meters. In Japanese belief, the Gods exist on a higher plane, which is why you will see shrines in all the famous Japanese towers. It is thought that the higher you are, the closer you are to the gods. If you really want your wish to be heard, you can try praying at one of these sky shrines. Some historians believe Izumo Shrine was an attempt to create a place where the gods really would be above.
Three large cedars have been found where the original hall was located. It is said that Izumo Shrine predates the Ise Shrine in Mie, another important shrine worth visiting. The shrine is very popular with couples as it is dedicated to marriage! The prefecture dedicated Mokeke, which I will write a blog on soon, comes with several patterns featuring love hearts, pink and tied knots, which are symbolic of marriage. Many young couples will come to the shrine in hopes of a peaceful, harmonious, long-lasting marriage. It is also a popular place for marriage and proposals.
Being so old, it is no surprise that several parts of the shrine have been designated as national treasures, including its grand hall. After some excavations, it was found that the grand hall used to be much taller and grand pillar bases were discovered. The shrine itself is held in high regard and is regarded as a place of mystery. The grounds are beautiful, and it is located centrally, making access easy for visitors. There are parts of the grand shrine which are off-limits, but there is a lot on display. The shrine hosts two big festivals every year, which are also worth exploring.
Visitors to the shrine may be shocked to find that every 60-70 years the shrine is taken down and rebuilt. Parts of the grand shrine are sent across Japan to smaller shrines. The act of rebuilding the shrine is symbolic, as it displays the preservation of the gods' powers. Older shrines in Japan experience the same thing; this process is called Sengu, and Ise Shrine also experiences the same. When visiting my Japanese friends, they showed me their family shrine, which had a small part of Ise Shrine wood on it. Ise Shrine is rebuilt every 20 years, however. People consider it auspicious if they can own parts of these great shrines in their homes.
According to Japanese myth, Izumo is known as the land of the gods, hence the important role it serves within the anime show mentioned at the start. There was a time when the Japanese islands were once ruled from Izumo, which served as the heart connecting them. Since then, the shrine has slowly decreased in size; however, this did not dull its importance. Izumo Taisha soon became a pilgrimage site during the 18th and 19th centuries, when travel became easier. In 1871, Izumo Shrine was designated as one of the Kanpei-Taisha, which meant it was a shrine supported by the Government.
Modern-day Izumo witnesses many marriages, and visitors can see the Kagura Hall, which sports a very large rope hanging outside. The size of this rope is impressive, and it is understandable why so many venture here to pray and tie the knot. The rope itself reaches an impressive 13.5 meters and weighs an incredible 5 tons. Many dances and rituals are held here. Visitors will notice a wooden two-floor building close by; once a reception hall now acts as a museum housing many important cultural items. Visitors can explore the history of the shrine and area and gaze upon priceless artefacts.
October is the most important month for Izumo Shrine, and this is also when the meeting of the Gods from the anime show mentioned above takes place. This month marks the time when Izumo invites every God to the shrine to discuss the year's proceedings. For those living in Izumo, it is known as a month of living with the gods; however, those outside of Izumo know it as a month without gods.
Izumo is a place that certainly impressed me, from its large torii gate, which towered over the town, to the long street leading up to the shrine. This street offers visitors chances to enjoy local cuisine and buy a variety of gifts. There is something for everyone; the shrine bustles with visitors looking to pray or simply absorb the atmosphere. There are many tours to the area and guides available. The land surrounding the shrine is peaceful, and you can enjoy walks to see important landmarks on the grounds. The shrine can get very busy, so plan your visit carefully. Overall, I really enjoyed my trip here, and I am glad to have finally seen the location behind Kamisama Hamijemashita’s iconic scene. Izumo plays a very important role in the show, and the meeting of the gods sequence also informs non-Japanese people of what the purpose of that meeting is. In the sequence, the gods plan out marriages, events and grant wishes of their believers. It is a scene where Nanami really shines and steps into her role as the land god. She aids lazier gods and makes a lasting impression on the higher-ups.
I recommend fans of the show to check out the real-life location and wish that there had been some merch for sale. However, the trip was amazing, and I fully recommend visiting.
