Izumo Taisha Shrine

▶Izumo Taisha and Okuninushi no Kami
▸Deity of Worship
The land of Izumo, where the clouds rise, is known as the land of gods and myths because ancient shrines dedicated to the deities still stand in various places today. At the center of these shrines is Izumo Taisha, which enshrines Okuninushi no Kami.
Okuninushi no Kami, widely revered as "Daikoku-sama," is worshipped in many regions across Japan. The various divine virtues that the deity has shown in each region are celebrated by numerous divine names.
▸Nation Building
One of these divine names is "Ame no Shitotsukuri no Okami," which signifies a time in the distant divine era when our ancestors worked alongside the deity through joys and sorrows to develop the land, marking the great endeavor of "nation building."
During the nation-building process, the deity provided wisdom essential for living, ranging from agriculture and fishing to industry and medicine, granting many forms of salvation. This expression of gratitude for the deity's compassionate heart is the origin of each divine name.
Today, Okuninushi no Kami is widely loved as the god of "enmusubi" (ties of fate), which signifies not only connections between men and women but also precious bonds that allow all living beings to thrive together. Throughout Japan's long history, Okuninushi no Kami has always watched over the footsteps of our ancestors and has been forming unseen connections.
▸Origin of the Shrine
The nation built by Okuninushi no Kami was called "Toyohashi no Mizuhokuni," a land rich in everything, strong and vibrant. After developing the land, Okuninushi no Kami returned it to Amaterasu Omikami, the deity who governs and illuminates the Japanese people. Amaterasu Omikami rejoiced at this great endeavor of nation building and expressed sincere gratitude, declaring that from then on, the visible world would be governed by her descendants while Okuninushi no Kami would oversee the unseen world, guiding people's happiness through the divine power of "musubi." Furthermore, it was commanded that Okuninushi no Kami's residence be established similarly to Amaterasu Omikami's, using tall and sturdy pillars and thick and wide boards to construct it. Amaterasu Omikami ordered her second child, Amenohohikime, to serve and protect it for generations to come.
Thus, Okuninushi no Kami governs the unseen world, and under Amaterasu Omikami's orders, the gods gathered in Takamagahara, constructing a grand palace at the foot of Mt. Ukuyama for Okuninushi no Kami. It was decreed that Okuninushi no Kami would forever remain and provide compassion for people's happiness, receiving profound faith even to this day.
This majestic shrine has been referred to by various names, including Amenohisumi no Miya, but is currently known as "Izumo Taisha."

▶The White Rabbit of Inaba
In the land of Izumo, there was a god called Daikoku-sama. He had many brothers and was the kindest among them.
Hearing a rumor about a beautiful princess named Yakami-hime in Inaba, the brothers decided to go visit her together. Daikoku-sama was burdened with a large bag, like a servant, and was made to follow at the end.
As the brothers passed by Keta Cape in Inaba, they found a rabbit crying, having had its skin peeled off.
The brothers played a trick on the rabbit, telling it that it would feel better if it bathed in seawater and let the wind dry it.
Unaware it was being deceived, the rabbit jumped into the sea and lay on a hill where the wind blew strongly.
However, the seawater dried out, worsening the pain from the rabbit's wounds, and it cried out more in agony.
Daikoku-sama, who was following behind, happened to come across the tortured rabbit and asked why it was crying.
The rabbit explained, "I used to live on Oki Island, and I've been trying to find a way to cross to this land without swimming. Then crocodiles (sharks) came, and I thought I would use them. I suggested a competition to see which had more members, and they lined up as I instructed. While counting, I was delighted to have tricked them and accidentally revealed my deceit, angering them. As revenge, they skinned me."
The rabbit continued, "Then, when I was crying from the pain, the gods who passed by earlier told me to immerse myself in the sea and let the wind dry it. But that made it worse."
Hearing this, Daikoku-sama said, "Poor thing, rinse your body with fresh water right away, and then gather cattail flowers and lie on them."
Following this advice, the rabbit washed in the river and lay quietly on the gathered cattail flowers.
As a result, its fur began to grow back, and it returned to being the original white rabbit.
Afterward, Daikoku-sama arrived in Inaba much later, but it was Daikoku-sama who was desired by Yakami-hime.