The original construction of Izumo-taisha Shrine is surrounded by myths
Izumo-taisha Shrine is famous for worshipping Okuninushi-no-mikoto, the god of marriage and good luck. According to "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki", which are both the chronicles of Japan, the origin of the shrine goes all the way back to the age of mythological gods and goddess. The land of Izumo was developed by Okuninushi-no-mikoto. But when he gave it away to the Sun goddess, Amaterasu-omikami, without any struggle, she thanked him by offering a shrine. This was the original episode associated with this holy place. There are countless myths of this kind in the Izumo area, thus, before long, people became to call it a home of gods and goddess. Whether it is true or not, the ancient remains locating in the area suggest that a cultural sphere of ancient Izumo was formed with Izumo-taisha at the center. The shrine (formerly 97 meters in length) must have been worshipped at constantly while transforming itself in its long history, and had provided mental support for aristocrats and samurai warriors. Even now you can see a continual line of visitors.
Izumo-taisha Shrine
The present main building of the shrine was built in 1744. It has been designated as a national treasure since it represents taisha-zukuri architecture, or the Japanese oldest shrine-style architecture. The roof is in the style of kirizuma-zukuri, which looks like a half-open book, with tsumairi, or a main entrance provided at the side. The strips of cross wood sticking out on the roof, called chigi, are 7.8 meters long, and three katsuogi, or wooden poles placed across the roof center line are as long as 5.4 meters. It is said that the original building was four times higher than the present shrine. The beautiful outer shrine at the front was reconstructed in 1959 using white cedar trees. The giant shime-nawa (a sacred straw festoon) of 8 meters long, 1,500 kilograms weigh, is outstanding.
Take a Ichibata bus from Izumo-shi station, get off at Izumo-taisha (25 min.).
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