Izumo-taisha

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Izumo-Taisha Izumo-Ōyashiro 出雲大社
Monjin-no-yashiro, Amasaki-no-yashiro, Mimukai-no-yashiro, and honden
Religion
Affiliation	Shinto
Deity	Ōkuninushi, Kotoamatsukami
Festival	Reisai (taisairei) (May 14-16th)
Type	Chokusaisha Beppyo jinja, Shikinaisya Izumo no Kuni ichinomiya Kanpeitaisha
Location
Location	195 Kitsukihigashi, Taisha-machi, Izumo-shi, Shimane-ken 699-0701
Shown within Japan
Geographic coordinates	35°24′07″N 132°41′08″E / 35.40194°N 132.68556°E / 35.40194; 132.68556
Architecture
Style	Taisha-zukuri
Website
www.izumooyashiro.or.jp
Glossary of Shinto

Izumo-taisha (出雲大社, "Izumo Grand Shrine"), officially Izumo Ōyashiro, is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. No record gives the date of establishment. Located in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, it is home to two major festivals. It is dedicated to the god Ōkuninushi (大国主大神, Ōkuninushi no Ōkami), famous as the Shinto deity of marriage and to Kotoamatsukami, distinguishing heavenly kami. The shrine is believed by many to be the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan, even predating the Ise Grand Shrine.

A style of architecture, taisha-zukuri, takes its name from the main hall of Izumo-taisha. That hall, and the attached buildings, were designated National Treasures of Japan in 1952. According to tradition, the hall was previously much taller than at present. The discovery in the year 2000 of the remains of enormous pillars has lent credence to this.

The shrine has been rebuilt every 60 to 70 years to maintain the power of the kami and maintain architectural techniques. This regular rebuilding process is called "Sengū" (遷宮) and has long been practiced at a handful of important Shinto shrines, the Ise Grand Shrine being rebuilt every 20 years.^[1]

Several other buildings in the shrine compound are on the list of Important Cultural Properties of Japan.