KamiMukae or Welcoming of the Gods | 神迎えかみむかえ

Saying Hello to the Kami at Izumo Taisha

KamiMukae is a the welcoming time for all the gods of Japan, except Ebisu, to Izumo Taisha. This is the beginning of the Japanese period called Kanna-Zuki, the month of no gods around the rest of Japan. However, this same time period is called Kami-ari-zuki, the month of the gods, in Shimane. The reason for this is because it was believed that all the gods went to Izumo Taisha in Shimane prefecture to have a big meeting where they decided on the fates of all the human beings for that year.

what Happens During KamiMukae

During KamiMukae time there are festivals, parties and entertainments put on for the gods at Izumo. The people around that are especially quite and try not to make any loud noises. The period lasts for about a week and there is a good bye ceremony as well. If you are thinking of visiting Izumo Taisha in Shimane prefecture, this would be a great time to go!

KamiKumae is very interesting because of the location of its main shrine. Izumo in Shimane prefecture is about as far away from any major population as you can today in Japan. Historically Izumo had always been a place of great importance to Shinto. In ancient times there was a fantastic elevated shrine on huge wooden pedestals there. Even today you can see amazingly large rock bases that would have stabilized the structure with its grand staircase. Today Ise near Nagoya is the center of worship of the Sun Goddess Ameretsu and is Shinto’s most important shrine. But I think that in ancient times Izumo must have given Ise a good run for irs money!