Kizuki Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nara Prefecture dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the great land deity of Japanese mythology. The shrine's name derives from the ancient term for Izumo Taisha, reflecting the connection to this powerful kami who is revered as a deity of nation-building, agriculture, and marriage.
- Denomination
- Okuninushi
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Okuninushi-no-Mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Okuninushi-no-Mikoto
- Coordinates
- 34.5749854, 135.7748762
Visitor tip
Look for the distinctive shimenawa rope decorations that are characteristic of shrines dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Mikoto.
Cultural notes
Okuninushi is known as the 'Great Land Master' who yielded control of Japan to the imperial ancestors, making him a crucial figure in Shinto creation mythology and the legitimization of imperial rule.
Historical note
Kizuki shrines throughout Japan were established to honor Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and often maintain historical connections to Izumo Taisha, the head shrine of Okuninushi worship. The name 'Kizuki' itself is an ancient reading for Izumo, indicating the shrine's role in spreading the cult of this important deity beyond the Izumo region.