Izumodaijingu

Izumo Daijingu is the first shrine of Tanba province. Its deity, Mihotsuhime, was sent by Amaterasu to become the consort of Okuninushi, and the shrine is accordingly well known for marriage ties. The present main hall is said to have been built by Ashikaga Takauji and is an Important Cultural Property. The Izumo furyu flower dance, offered here each 18 April, is said to have begun as a rain-making rite: dancers in flower hats, court robes and white tabi beat small drums as they move, and the effect is genuinely elegant.