A place where the “Izumo Myths” about the Japanese gods are passed down. These myths are also called Japanese fantasy and are important spiritual guides even in modern times. This year’s FF Izumo will recreate the stories of the gods.
A Shopping Region -
Sponsored by GABRIEL
Region by Takuya Jinn
I had the blessing to chat with Takuya and he sent me a notecard, explaining the meaning of the build of Izumo. I am happy to share this with you ..
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
🐍 The Myth of Yamata-no-Orochi
— “A Divine Battle, Shimmering in Blue and White” —
You are about to enter a place where the legendary Yamata-no-Orochi,
a colossal serpent with eight heads and eight tails, comes to life through myth.
In this SIM, Orochi is not depicted as a mere monster.
It appears as a mysterious, divine presence—
wrapped in shimmering hues of white and blue, emerging slowly from a dreamlike realm.
Its beauty overwhelms fear.
But the story does not end there.
Long ago, in this very land,
there lived a young woman named Kushinada-hime.
Each year, one of her sisters was taken by Orochi, and she had become the last.
It was then that Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a god cast down from the heavens, appeared.
Determined to save her, he devised a most unusual plan.
He filled eight enormous barrels with potent sake
and placed them before the serpent.
Lured by the sweet aroma,
each of Orochi’s eight heads plunged into a barrel,
drinking deeply—until at last, the beast fell into a drunken slumber.
Seizing the moment, Susanoo drew his sword
and struck down the sleeping serpent.
From deep within its tail, a blade emerged—
one that shone with a pale blue light, stronger than anything before.
It was none other than the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
This sacred sword would later be passed down to Japan’s Imperial family,
becoming one of the Three Sacred Treasures—
a symbol of the nation’s very soul.
To this day, Susanoo-no-Mikoto is revered as a deity across Japan,
worshiped for his courage, protection, and divine might.
In this area, you will witness not just a battle,
but a deeper truth:
That gods are not simply to be feared—
they also love, protect, and create the future.
Through light, sound, and motion,
you may come to feel the living heartbeat of myth itself.
🌐 Inasa Beach (Benten Island & Kamiari Ritual)
This is Inasa Beach—a sacred shoreline where the gods arrive.
Every year in the 10th lunar month, while the rest of Japan calls it the “Month Without Gods,”
here in Izumo, it is called the Month of the Gods—for the eight million deities are said to gather in this place.
Look to the small rocky island just offshore.
There stands a tiny shrine dedicated to Ichikishima-hime, goddess of water, art, and language—
known more widely as Benzaiten.
Surrounded by waves, this island is believed to be a place where the divine lingers closely.
As night falls, the Kami-Mukae Ritual begins.
Shinto priests in white robes gather along the shore, holding torches that flicker in the darkness.
With solemn norito—sacred chants—they call across the sea,
welcoming the unseen gods as they arrive upon the tide.
It is not a spectacle, but a spiritual unveiling.
The wind stills, the sea hushes,
and the air becomes thick with presence—
not seen, but deeply felt.
In this place, do not merely look.
Feel.
The presence of the divine.
The pulse of prayer.
The wind that carries the gods to shore.
🌐Izumo Main Shrine & Vendor Area (Shimenawa, Torii, Komainu, and Chigi)
This sacred area is inspired by Izumo Taisha, one of the oldest and most revered shrines in Japan.
From the vendor zone to the main hall, the structures are faithfully recreated in the ancient architectural style known as Taisha-zukuri.
At the entrance stands a massive torii gate made of thick logs—
a powerful gateway that marks the spiritual boundary between the human world and the realm of the gods.
Passing through it is a symbolic act of entering sacred ground.
Looking up at the shrine's rooftop, you'll see crossed beams known as chigi.
Just like at the real Izumo Taisha, the chigi here are horizontally cut in a style known as soto-sogi.
This style is traditionally used for shrines that enshrine male deities.
Izumo Taisha enshrines Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami, the god of nation-building and enmusubi (harmonious connections).
He is also believed to be a descendant of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and serves as a central figure in the mythology of Izumo.
Suspended in front of the main hall is a massive shimenawa, or sacred straw rope.
As in the real Izumo shrine, it is braided in reverse—the thick end on the right, and the thin end on the left.
This unique orientation reflects ancient Shinto concepts such as "left-ranked superiority" and emphasizes the sacred nature of this boundary.
The shimenawa is not merely decorative—it functions as a spiritual barrier that invites divine presence, repels impurity, and protects the sanctity of the space.
Standing guard at the entrance to this divine realm are two komainu, the lion-dog guardians.
One with an open mouth (A), the other closed (Un), they represent the beginning and end of all things—
a sacred duality of protection and balance.
In this SIM, the komainu have been brought to life through Animesh animation.
Their subtle head movements remind us that this is not simply a modeled space—
but a place truly watched over by the gods.
As you pass through this sacred zone, do so with quiet reverence.
It is more than a space—it is a prayer in architectural form.
