Ôkuninushi-no-mikoto (lit. roughly "Great Lord of the Land") is a mythological figure prominent in the ''[[Kojiki]]'' and strongly associated with [[Izumo province]] and the [[Izumo Shrine|Grand Shrine at Izumo]]. While the ''Kojiki'' articulates the creation of the land by [[Izanami]] and [[Izanagi]], Ôkuninushi is also strongly associated with the creation of the islands of Japan, and according to the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'' is said to have handed them off to, or placed them under the protection of, the Sun Goddess, [[Amaterasu]]. He is also considered a god of marriage and of other forms of linked fates, including interpersonal relationships in general. Ôkuninushi is also associated with the deity [[Daikoku]]. | Ôkuninushi-no-mikoto (lit. roughly "Great Lord of the Land") is a mythological figure prominent in the ''[[Kojiki]]'' and strongly associated with [[Izumo province]] and the [[Izumo Shrine|Grand Shrine at Izumo]]. While the ''Kojiki'' articulates the creation of the land by [[Izanami]] and [[Izanagi]], Ôkuninushi is also strongly associated with the creation of the islands of Japan, and according to the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'' is said to have handed them off to, or placed them under the protection of, the Sun Goddess, [[Amaterasu]]. He is also considered a god of marriage and of other forms of linked fates, including interpersonal relationships in general. Ôkuninushi is also associated with the deity [[Daikoku]]. |