⬆ Inasa Beach, the stage of Kuni-yuzuri myth
The first time Shimane is mentioned is in Kojiki (古事記), the oldest extant chronicle of Japan written 1,300 years ago. According to Kojiki, there was a huge, strong country in Shimane ruled by the lord Okuninushi-no-mikoto (大国主命). However, it has been considered nothing more than just a story. The history of Shimane and Okuninushi-no-mikoto has been excluded from the history of Japan for a long time.
Why did this happen?
The answer is in "Kuni-yuzuri (国譲り)", one of the Japanese myths in Kojiki.
Kuni-yuzuri, meaning "the transfer of the land," is a myth about Okuninushi-no-mikoto, the lord of Shimane, giving his land to Amaterasu-omikami (天照大御神), the goddess of the sun.
Japanese mythology: “Kuni-yuzuri”
A long Long time ago, the world was largely divided into three places....
🌄Takamagahara (高天原: “the plain of high heaven”): the heaven
🌏Ashihara-no-nakatsukuni (葦原中国: "the center country of a reed field"):
the land between Takamagahara (the heaven) and Yomi (the underground)
👻Yomi (黄泉: "the world of death"): the underground
Okuninushi-no-mikoto, after having overcome several trials and challenges, became the ruler of Ashihara-no-nakatsukuni (the land). However, Amaterasu-omikami, who governed Takamagahara (the heaven), wanted to take his land. She sent messengers to Okuninushi-no-mikoto, requesting that he turn over control of the land to her.
The first messenger, Amenohohi was inspired by Okuninoshi-no-mikoto and became his follower. The next messenger, Amenowakahiko fell in love with the daughter of Okuninushi-no-mikoto, and did not come back either. Amaterasu-omikami then sent Nakime (鳴女: a Japanese pheasant) to investigate the situation on the land but it was killed by Amanowakahiko.
Finally, Amaterasu-omikami sent Takemikazuchi, a strong god, and Amenotorifute, a fast runner, to wrest the control of the land by force. They told Okuninushi-no-mikoto that “Amaterasu-omikami wants to have this land!" Okuninushi-no-mikoto answered “I can’t decide that by myself. I would like to discuss with two of my sons.”
The first son, Kotoshironushi, said “I would offer the land as Amaterasu-omikami wants” and surrendered sooner. The second son, Takeminakata, fought against them but he lost and ran away.
Then, Okuninushi-no-mikoto agreed to turn over control of the land to Amaterasu-omikami. In return, he asked her to build a large shrine for him that would reach all the way to the heavens.
As promised, Amaterasu-omikami built a huge shrine for Okuninushi-no-mikoto, which is said to be today's Izumo Taisha.
In return for giving his land to Amaterasu-omikami, Okuninushi-no-mikoto governed the underground, the world of death. And, all the history relevant to Okuninushi-no-mikoto and his accomplishment became hidden for a long time.