●What is Izumo Province?
Izumo Province is part of present-day Shimane Prefecture, and is located in the northeastern part of the prefecture.
Shimane Prefecture was formerly made up of the three provinces of Izumo, Iwami, and Oki, and Izumo Province is the setting for the Izumo myths.
One of the shrines associated with Japanese mythology in Izumo Province is Yaegaki Shrine.
● Yaegaki Shrine
Yaegaki Shrine is located along the mountains south of the center of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture.
The main deities enshrined here are the husband and wife Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Susanoo-no-Mikoto) and Kushinada-hime (Inada-hime-no-Mikoto/Kushiinada-hime), who appear in the famous myth of "The Snake Slayer," and as such, the shrine is said to grant good fortune in finding love.
●Kagami-no-ike Pond
Sakusame-no-mori Forest, located at the back of the shrine grounds, is where Susanoo-no-mikoto built a "double fence" around a large cedar tree in the forest and hid Kushiinada-hime when he defeated Yamata-no-Orochi. "Yaegaki" refers to the eight fences that protected Kushiinada-hime.
The "Kagami-no-ike Pond" in the forest is said to have been the source of drinking water for Kushiinada-hime when she hid in the double fence, and also served as a mirror. This pond, which has a deep connection to Kushiinada-hime, is known as a pond that can tell love connections.
Float a fortune-telling paper in the pond, gently place a 10-yen or 100-yen coin on it, and if it sinks within 15 minutes, it will bring you a quick connection, if it takes more than 30 minutes, it will bring you a slow connection, if it sinks close to you, it will bring you a connection with someone close to you, if it sinks far away, it will bring you a connection with someone far away. Fortune-telling paper (100 yen per sheet) is available at the Shinfuda Juyosho.
●Masks of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime