Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)

The Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, located in Taisha Town, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious Shinto shrines. It is dedicated to Ōkuninushi no Ōkami, who is revered as the deity of nation-building and relationships. Since ancient times, Izumo Taisha has been regarded as one of Japan’s most important religious centers, attracting countless worshippers who come to pray for good relationships, happiness, and peace.

In ancient times, the shrine was known as Kizuki Taisha, and it was not until 1871 (the 4th year of the Meiji era) that it was renamed Izumo Taisha. Under the modern shrine ranking system established after the Meiji Restoration, it was the only shrine permitted to use the title “Taisha” (Grand Shrine), underscoring its special status. Today, it is listed as a Bekkaku Heihaku Jinja (Special Shrine) under the Association of Shinto Shrines and also serves as the headquarters of the religious corporation Izumo Taishakyō.

Regarding pronunciation, the shrine’s official name is traditionally read as Izumo Ōyashiro, but in common usage, the reading Izumo Taisha is more widespread. Both pronunciations are used depending on context.

Architectural Features

The present Main Hall (Honden) was rebuilt in 1744. It is built in the Taisha-zukuri style, one of the oldest shrine architectural styles in Japan, characterized by its elevated-floor structure and massive thatched roof. The Main Hall is about 24 meters tall, making it one of the largest shrine buildings in Japan, and it has been designated a National Treasure.

According to tradition, in even more ancient times, the Main Hall is said to have been as tall as 48 meters—equivalent to a modern 10-story building. Remains of gigantic pillar foundations from that era can still be seen on the shrine grounds today.

Another symbolic structure is the Kaguraden (Hall of Sacred Dances), under whose eaves hangs Japan’s largest sacred straw rope (shimenawa), weighing more than 5 tons. This is a must-see for visitors.

One of the shrine’s most distinctive rituals is the Daily Offering Ceremony (Nikkyōsai). In ordinary shrines, food offerings to the kami are usually made morning and evening by a rotating priest. At Izumo Taisha, however, according to ancient ritual law, the enshrinement of Ōkuninushi must be carried out by Ame-no-Hohi-no-Mikoto, his divine substitute. Thus, even today, the chief priest (Gūji) personally officiates the rite, accompanied by seven to eight assisting priests. In practice, the duty is sometimes delegated to a representative priest.

In terms of music and ritual instruments, Izumo Taisha preserves very ancient forms. One such instrument is the Kotoita (“zither board”), a box-shaped board made of cedar wood, about 79 cm long and 24 cm wide, with an 11 cm round hole at the back. It has no strings; instead, it is struck with willow sticks about 71 cm long to produce a unique sound. The Kotoita is mainly used in rituals such as the Archery Ritual (Ite-matsuri), the Traditional Harvest Ritual (Koden Niiname-sai), and the Kokuzo Dances (Hyakuban-mai and Sanban-mai). It is believed to symbolize the “vibration of the soul” and “pacification of spirits,” making it a highly ancient and significant ritual instrument.

Another unique musical instrument is the Izumo Flute, a bamboo transverse flute bound with cherry bark. Its sound is mysterious and far-reaching. During offerings, it plays the melody “Furuhe Yuratofuruhe,” a phrase derived from the mythological Ten Sacred Treasures (Tokusa no Kandakara), symbolizing prayers for blessings and divine protection.