Changes

==History==

==History==

The shrine is mentioned in the ''[[Nihon shoki]]'', as well as in the ''[[Fudoki|Izumo fudoki]]'', the most complete of the surviving provincial ''fudoki'' "gazetteers" of the 8th century. In the ''Nihon shoki'', Ôkuninushi, based as Izumo, is described as overseeing the realm of the gods, or ''yû'' 幽, while the emperor, based at [[Yamato province|Yamato]], oversees the realm of man, or ''ken'' 顕. On special occasions during the [[Kofun period|Kofun]] through [[Nara period]]s, such as on the occasion of the accession of a new emperor, priests from Izumo journeyed to Yamato to perform rites, offer prayers, and present gifts of sacred objects such as ''[[magatama]]'' meant to extend the protection of the gods over the emperor and the state.<ref>Gallery labels, "Yamato and Izumo," special exhibit, Tokyo National Museum, Feb 2020.</ref>

The shrine is mentioned in the ''[[Nihon shoki]]'', as well as in the ''[[Fudoki|Izumo fudoki]]'', the most complete of the surviving provincial ''fudoki'' "gazetteers" of the 8th century. In the ''Nihon shoki'', Ôkuninushi, based as Izumo, is described as overseeing the realm of the gods, or ''yû'' 幽, while the emperor, based at [[Yamato province|Yamato]], oversees the realm of man, or ''ken'' 顕. On special occasions during the [[Kofun period|Kofun]] through [[Nara period]]s, such as on the occasion of the accession of a new emperor, priests from Izumo journeyed to Yamato to perform rites, offer prayers, and present gifts of sacred objects such as ''[[magatama]]'' meant to extend the protection of the gods over the emperor and the state.<ref name=tnm>Gallery labels, "Yamato and Izumo," special exhibit, Tokyo National Museum, Feb 2020.</ref>

 

The shrine has been reconstructed numerous times over the course of its history. A reconstruction in [[1664]] produced a particularly significant number of models, manuals, and other documentary and material artifacts relating to the design and construction of the shrine.<ref name=tnm/>

==Layout==

==Layout==

The main shrine is separated from the outside, secular/profane, world by three layers of fences, from the Wild Fence (''Aragaki'') which is the outermost, to the Pure Fence (''Mizugaki''), to the Jade Fence (''Tamagaki''), the innermost of the three. Entrance deeper into the shrine beyond the Jade Fence is restricted only to those closely associated with the shrine, or to those with special permission.<ref>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140062245/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>

The main shrine is separated from the outside, secular/profane, world by three layers of fences, from the Wild Fence (''Aragaki'') which is the outermost, to the Pure Fence (''Mizugaki''), to the Jade Fence (''Tamagaki''), the innermost of the three. Entrance deeper into the shrine beyond the Jade Fence is restricted only to those closely associated with the shrine, or to those with special permission.<ref>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140062245/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>

The Main Hall of the shrine has been designated a [[National Treasure]]. It is periodically rebuilt, but always incorporates elements of the earlier structure, including the Uzu Pillar (''Uzu-bashira''), a roof-ridge-holding pillar which records within its tree rings the history of the shrine. The main hall is today roughly 24 meters tall, though in the past it was 48 meters high during the medieval period, and according to archaeological evidence, a stunning 96 meters tall in ancient times.<ref name=uji>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140063085/sizes/h/]</ref>

The Main Hall of the shrine has been designated a [[National Treasure]]. It is periodically rebuilt, but always incorporates elements of the earlier structure, including the Uzu Pillar (''Uzu-bashira''), a roof-ridge-holding pillar which records within its tree rings the history of the shrine. The main hall is today roughly 24 meters tall, though in the past it was 48 meters high during the medieval period, and according to archaeological evidence, a stunning 96 meters tall in ancient times.<ref name=uji>Gallery labels, Masuura Yukihito, "Shrines of the Gods," College of Creative Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Jan 2014.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/13140063085/sizes/h/]</ref> The hall is located high above the ground, atop 27 wooden pillars arranged in nine groups of three, in a 3x3 square. The central set of three pillars are known as the ''shin no mi-bashira'' ("heart pillars"). The main hall is accessed via a lengthy stairway extending straight out from the front of the hall.<ref name=tnm/>

The Main Hall is flanked by two side shrines to the east and west, enshrining respectively the god of Uji, and the god of Kutami. These serve as "gatekeepers" for Ôkuninushi.<ref name=uji/>

The Main Hall is flanked by two side shrines to the east and west, enshrining respectively the god of Uji, and the god of Kutami. These serve as "gatekeepers" for Ôkuninushi.<ref name=uji/>

Three auxiliary shrines located within the grounds include the Mimukai, Amasaki, and Tsukushi Shrines. Mimukai Shrine is dedicated to [[Suseri-hime-no-mikoto]], the wife and partner of Ôkuni-nushi in creating the land. Tsukushi Shrine is dedicated to [[Tagiri-hime-no-mikoto]], a goddess born of vows between Amaterasu and Susano-o; a wife of Ôkuni-nushi, she gave birth to two other deities, [[Ajisukitaka-hikone-no-kami]] and [[Taka-hime-no-mikoto]]. And Amasaki Shrine is dedicated to [[Kusagai-hime-no-mikoto]] and [[Umugai-hime-no-mikoto]], two goddesses who helped treat Ôkuni-nushi's burns after a trial on Mt. Temayama.

Three auxiliary shrines located within the grounds include the Mimukai, Amasaki, and Tsukushi Shrines. Mimukai Shrine is dedicated to [[Suseri-hime-no-mikoto]], the wife and partner of Ôkuni-nushi in creating the land. Tsukushi Shrine is dedicated to [[Tagiri-hime-no-mikoto]], a goddess born of vows between Amaterasu and Susano-o; a wife of Ôkuni-nushi, she gave birth to two other deities, [[Ajisukitaka-hikone-no-kami]] and [[Taka-hime-no-mikoto]]. And Amasaki Shrine is dedicated to [[Kusagai-hime-no-mikoto]] and [[Umugai-hime-no-mikoto]], two goddesses who helped treat Ôkuni-nushi's burns after a trial on Mt. Temayama.

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