Izanagi Grand Shrine

Izanagi Grand Shrine stands in Taga, Awaji, Hyōgo Prefecture, and ranks as the chief shrine of Awaji Province. It enshrines Izanagi-no-Okami and Izanami-no-Okami, the two principal creator deities of Japanese mythology. The *Nihon Shoki* records this location as the 'hidden palace' (*kakure-no-miya*) where the deities concluded their earthly work—a founding tradition central to the shrine's identity.

Awaji Island itself holds sacred significance in the creation narratives of both the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki*: it is identified as the first island brought into being by Izanagi and Izanami. The shrine precincts occupy the western slope of the Tsuna hills at the island's centre, and the grove behind the main hall is maintained as sacred ground.

According to shrine records, the original foundation dates to the age of the deities themselves. The shrine first appears in written records in the *Nihon Shoki* account of the hidden palace; it is subsequently listed in the *Engishiki* (*Procedures of the Engi Era*, 927 CE) Register of Shrines as 'Awaji Izanagi Shrine' (*Awaji Isanagi-no-Jinja*) in Tsuna County, ranked among the major deities.

During the medieval and early modern periods, the shrine received patronage from the Hosokawa clan (provincial governors of Awaji) and later from the Hachisuka lords of Tokushima domain. In 1885 it was elevated to the rank of Official Great Shrine (*Kanpei Taisha*); in 1954 it received the designation 'Grand Shrine' (*Jingu*) and was renamed Izanagi Grand Shrine. The present main hall, rebuilt in the Meiji period, follows the three-bay flowing style with hinoki-bark roofing.

Principal festivals include the spring ritual on 22 April and the Hidden Palace Festival (*Kakure-no-miya Matsuri*) in June, along with the Great Purification of the Sixth Month. Since 2012, the spring festival has become the central rite of the broader Awaji Island Matsuri, drawing participating shrines from across the island and beyond.