Izumo Taisha Reisai, Izumo, Shimane

出雲大社 出雲国 島根県

The main deity of Izumo Grand Shrine (Izumo Taisha) is Okuninushi, the god of love and marriage (enmusubi), who renders love knot, marriage tie and matchmaking. Young couples visit Izumo to ask Okuninushi for love and happiness in their marriage. They summon the god by clapping four times their hands, instead of the usual two times, twice for themselves and twice for their partner.

Every October eight million gods of Japan meet in Izumo where this month is called the month with gods (kamiarizuki). Everywhere else October is called the month without gods (kannazuki).

A sacred rice straw rope (shimenawa) hanging before the inner sanctuary of Izumo Taisha is largest in the country. Shimenawa is used for ritual purification and it acts as a ward against evil spirits. A space bound by it indicates a sacred and pure space.

 Major part of Izumo Kagura is based on the myth related with Susanoo and Okuninushi.