The most holy site
We were in for a real treat. Flying to Izumo from Shizuoka, we got our rental car and drove to Taisha shrine in spite of the rain. What a stunning site this is! The large straw shimenawa (ropes) on the main shrine are the largest in Japan, and Izumo Taisha shrine’s most famous feature. The twisting ropes represent the duality of mortal life and the supernatural.
A national treasure
This is one of Japan’s oldest shrines. The architectural style seen in many of its buildings reflects the indigenous Taisha-zukuri style. It is considered the oldest architectural tradition in Japan. No one knows when the shrine was first built. Since they are made of wood, they need to be periodically replaced. The shrine we see today was rebuilt in 1744.
Unlike the praying rituals at other shrines around Japan, where you clap your hands twice, at Izumo you clap four times. Two claps are for you and two are for your future partner. The shrine has become a favorite location for marriages.
Following tradition, we had a lunch of soba noodles at one of the many noodle shops there after our visit.
Okuninushi and the Rabbit
The rabbits seen here represent a local myth about a rabbit that was harmed, and helped by the youngest of nine gods. Read about it at
https://www.kankou-shimane.com/en/japanesemythology/okuninushi/
