This is a great write up. A couple of notes about the journey of the kami.
Before they come to Inasanohama they pause at Kotobikisan (琴引山) in Iinan-cho first and there's a ritual performed at the shrine on the top of the mountain at that time.
Likewise as they are returning they stop at the Mankusen Jinja (万九千神社) in Hikawa for another ritual before finally dispersing
There are a number of myths about how Izumo and Okuninushi joined the other gods (see https://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/japanesemythology/izumo-taisha/ ) and historians think (guess?) that the myths represent actual historical events when the Yamato Empire expanded to Izumo and, rather than conquering the existing Izumo kingdom militarily, formed an alliance with it through marriage and negotiation. Part of the supposed treaty for Izumo becoming a part of the greater Yamato empire was that the court would visit Izumo periodically - presumably once a year - and this turned into the myth of the kami visiting Izumo instead of the Yamato court doing so.
Regarding the Shimenawa, if you go to Iinancho you can make your own little one at the Ohshimenawasosakukan (大しめなわ創作館 ) just by Tonbara Michinoeki (and not far from Kotobikisan)
Thank you so much for sharing these fascinating details.
Your insights into the rituals at Kotobikisan and Mankusen Jinja offer a deeper appreciation of how local traditions shape the journey of the kami.
I also find the theory about the relationship between Izumo and the Yamato court very convincing.
There are other interesting perspectives too—such as the idea that Amaterasu Ōmikami might have been Himiko, or that the ancient Izumo could have been located in present-day Tokushima.
The more I learn, the deeper the mysteries seem to grow, which makes it all the more fascinating.
I hadn’t known about the Ohshimenawa Workshop in Iinancho, but it looks wonderful. I’d love to visit it next time I travel to Shimane.
Shimane is home to so many myths. It's great. Susanoo (& Orochi), Hibayama where Izanami no Mikoto is buried, Yomotsu Hirasaka (黄泉比良坂) the gate to the underworld, Kunibiki and so on
I truly enjoyed your post as well. Your local perspective made it especially engaging and insightful. It is fascinating to see how each place has its own way of keeping these traditions alive.
In Nikko, I encountered a strong tradition of merging Okuninushi with Daitokoroten. How do you view that? Is it a common tradition? Does it make sense to you? The legend is that Shodo Shonin met Okuninushi in the form of Daitokoroten when he first explored the mountains there.
Yes you should. Izumo is a wonderful place. Mind you in recent years it's not just the kami that come to Izumo at this time, the tourists do too so it's not as calm and spiritual as you might like
This is a great write up. A couple of notes about the journey of the kami.
Before they come to Inasanohama they pause at Kotobikisan (琴引山) in Iinan-cho first and there's a ritual performed at the shrine on the top of the mountain at that time.
Likewise as they are returning they stop at the Mankusen Jinja (万九千神社) in Hikawa for another ritual before finally dispersing
There are a number of myths about how Izumo and Okuninushi joined the other gods (see https://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/japanesemythology/izumo-taisha/ ) and historians think (guess?) that the myths represent actual historical events when the Yamato Empire expanded to Izumo and, rather than conquering the existing Izumo kingdom militarily, formed an alliance with it through marriage and negotiation. Part of the supposed treaty for Izumo becoming a part of the greater Yamato empire was that the court would visit Izumo periodically - presumably once a year - and this turned into the myth of the kami visiting Izumo instead of the Yamato court doing so.
Regarding the Shimenawa, if you go to Iinancho you can make your own little one at the Ohshimenawasosakukan (大しめなわ創作館 ) just by Tonbara Michinoeki (and not far from Kotobikisan)
PS https://tonbara-hcc.jimdofree.com/%E7%90%B4%E5%BC%95%E5%B1%B1/ talks about Kotobikisan and https://ohshimenawa.com/ is the website for the Ohshimenawasosakukan
Thank you so much for sharing these fascinating details.
Your insights into the rituals at Kotobikisan and Mankusen Jinja offer a deeper appreciation of how local traditions shape the journey of the kami.
I also find the theory about the relationship between Izumo and the Yamato court very convincing.
There are other interesting perspectives too—such as the idea that Amaterasu Ōmikami might have been Himiko, or that the ancient Izumo could have been located in present-day Tokushima.
The more I learn, the deeper the mysteries seem to grow, which makes it all the more fascinating.
I hadn’t known about the Ohshimenawa Workshop in Iinancho, but it looks wonderful. I’d love to visit it next time I travel to Shimane.
Shimane is home to so many myths. It's great. Susanoo (& Orochi), Hibayama where Izanami no Mikoto is buried, Yomotsu Hirasaka (黄泉比良坂) the gate to the underworld, Kunibiki and so on
BTW I linked to this post at the start of my on scene report for Kamiaritsuki this year
https://open.substack.com/pub/lessknownjapan/p/when-the-kami-come-to-visit-izumo?r=7yrqz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Oh! I wish I had read this post before writing mine. Such rich detail. Thank you so much for sharing so many interesting facts and history!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I truly enjoyed your post as well. Your local perspective made it especially engaging and insightful. It is fascinating to see how each place has its own way of keeping these traditions alive.
The more I read about Okuninushi, the fonder I become of him
Thank you for your comment.
I feel the same way.
Ōkuninushi is such a fascinating deity, gentle yet strong, and deeply connected to harmony between people and nature.
In Nikko, I encountered a strong tradition of merging Okuninushi with Daitokoroten. How do you view that? Is it a common tradition? Does it make sense to you? The legend is that Shodo Shonin met Okuninushi in the form of Daitokoroten when he first explored the mountains there.
It’s true that Nikko does have a tradition of merging Daikokuten with Ōkuninushi, but I actually wasn’t aware of it until I read your comment.
Since Daikokuten is originally a deity from India, while Ōkuninushi is a descendant of Susanoo, I personally see them as separate beings.
Izumo Taisha also states that they are independent of each other.
Still, it’s fascinating how different interpretations have developed in various regions.
I’d love to visit Nikko Futarasan Shrine one day to learn more about this tradition firsthand.
I visit Nikko often so I was curious how common the syncretism was. Thank you for clarifying.
It's not a tradition I'm aware of as an Izumo resident, FWIW
Thank you so much for this interesting article. I'd definitely love to visit one day.
Thank you so much for reading.
I truly hope you’ll have a chance to visit one day—Izumo is a place where history and mythology beautifully meet.
The people there are also incredibly kind and warm-hearted, which makes the experience even more special.
Yes you should. Izumo is a wonderful place. Mind you in recent years it's not just the kami that come to Izumo at this time, the tourists do too so it's not as calm and spiritual as you might like