Izumo Taisha Shrine

▶Izumo Taisha and Ōkuninushi no Ōkami
▸Enshrined Deity
The reason the Land of Izumo, where Yakumo rises, is known as the land of the gods and the land of myth is that ancient shrines enshrining the deities still stand everywhere to this day. At the center of them all is Izumo Taisha, which enshrines Ōkuninushi no Ōkami.

Ōkuninushi no Ōkami is widely beloved as “Daikoku-sama” and is enshrined in many regions throughout Japan. The various divine virtues manifested by the deity in each region are praised through numerous divine names.

▸Nation-Building
One of those divine names is “Amenoshitatsukurashishi Ōkami” (the Great Deity Who Created All Under Heaven). It originates from the ancient age of the gods, when the deity opened and developed the land while sharing joys and sorrows with our distant ancestors; this was the great undertaking of “nation-building.”

During this work of nation-building, the deity bestowed upon us the many kinds of wisdom necessary for life—from agriculture, fishing, and industry to medicine—and granted abundant salvation. The expression of gratitude for this benevolent heart lies behind each of the deity’s many names.

Today, the deity is widely loved as the god of “good relationships” and matchmaking, but this “bond” is not limited to connections between men and women. It is a precious tie through which all living beings may flourish together in abundance. Throughout Japan’s long history, Ōkuninushi no Ōkami has constantly watched over the footsteps of successive generations of our ancestors and has bound invisible ties between people.

▸The Origin of the Shrine’s Enshrinement
The land built through Ōkuninushi no Ōkami’s nation-building was called “Toyoashihara no Mizuhonokuni,” a country where all things were abundant and vigorous. After completing nation-building, the deity returned the land to Amaterasu Ōmikami, who illumines and governs the Japanese people as a whole (the transfer of the land = the transfer of rulership). Then Amaterasu Ōmikami rejoiced in the great undertaking of nation-building and, in profound gratitude, declared: henceforth, the governance of the visible world shall be entrusted to my descendants; you shall govern the unseen world and, through the divine power of “musubi” working there, guide people to happiness. As for your dwelling, it shall be called “Ameno Hisumi no Miya,” and, like my own residence, we shall build it with tall, thick pillars and broad, thick boards. I shall also have my second son, Amenohihomino Mikoto, serve you and protect you for all time.

Thus spoke the goddess. In this way, Ōkuninushi no Ōkami came to govern the unseen world, and by the command of Amaterasu Ōmikami, the gods of Takamagahara gathered and a magnificent palace was constructed at the foot of Mount Uka for Ōkuninushi no Ōkami. Thereafter, Ōkuninushi no Ōkami was permanently enshrined and has continued to bestow his benevolence for the happiness of the people, receiving deep faith to this day.

This solemn sanctuary has been called by various names, beginning with Ameno Hisumi no Miya, but today it is known as Izumo Taisha.

▶The White Rabbit of Inaba
In the land of Izumo there lived a deity called Daikoku-sama. This deity had many brothers, and among them was the kindest of heart.

Hearing a rumor that a beautiful princess named Yagami-hime lived in the land of Inaba, the brother deities decided to go and visit her together. Daikoku-sama was made to carry a large bag like a retainer for his brothers, and so he followed behind them last.

When the brothers were passing Cape Keta in the land of Inaba, they found a rabbit crying because its skin had been stripped off.

The brothers were cruel to the rabbit and lied to it, telling it that it would be fine if it soaked in seawater and dried itself in the wind.

Without realizing it had been deceived, the rabbit did as it was told, leaping into the sea and then drying itself on a windy hill.

But as it dried, the seawater hardened, and the wounds became even more painful and stinging.

As the rabbit, now in even greater agony, wept, Daikoku-sama, who had been following behind, came upon it.

Seeing the rabbit, Daikoku-sama asked why it was crying.

The rabbit replied:

“I lived on the Island of Oki, and I wanted to cross over to this land, so I was thinking of a way to cross without swimming. Then the crocodiles came, and I thought I would use them. I challenged them, saying I wanted to compare which was greater in number, my companions or theirs. The crocodiles did as I said and lined up their backs, and I pretended to count them as I crossed to the other shore. But just when I was almost across, I grew so happy that I had fooled them that I foolishly blurted out the truth, and angered the crocodiles. As revenge, they stripped off my skin. Then, while I was hurting and crying, the gods who passed by here earlier told me to soak in the sea and dry myself in the wind, so I did—but it only hurt even more than before.”

After hearing this, Daikoku-sama said to the rabbit, “Poor thing. Wash your body at once in fresh water, then gather some cattail flowers and lie down on top of them.”

The rabbit did as he was told, soaking in the river and then quietly lying down on the gathered cattail flowers.

Then fur began to grow back on the rabbit’s body, and it was completely restored to its original white form.

Afterward, Daikoku-sama arrived in the land of Inaba much later than expected, but it was Daikoku-sama whom Yagami-hime chose.