Izumo Grand Shrine

Izumo Taisha (伊元大社) is a Shinto shrine located in Kitzuki-Higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. The enshrined deity is Okuninushi-no-Okami. It is a Shikinaisha (a shrine listed in the Engishiki), a Myojin-taisha (a major shrine), the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Izumo Province, and formerly a Kanpei Taisha (a high-ranking government-supported shrine). It is a Beppyo Jinja (a shrine listed in the special register) of the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is the head shrine of the religious corporation Izumo Taisha-kyo. Under the modern shrine ranking system established after the Meiji Restoration, it was the only shrine to bear the title of “Taisha” (大社). The shrine crest (divine emblem) of Izumo Taisha is a double tortoise shell with a sword and flower rhombus.