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BASICS
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BASICS
What God Is Enshrined at Hisaizu Shrine? — Okuninushi and the Matchmaking Deity of Saitama
Hisaizu shrines in Saitama enshrine Okuninushi, the great matchmaking and nation-building deity whose cult was brought to the Musashi region by descendants of the Izumo land-stewards. Legend holds that Taira no Masakado also venerated this deity.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
1
The Deity — Who Is Ōnamuchi no Mikoto?
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2
Why Hisaizu Faith Spread to Musashi Province
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3
Blessings and Proper Worship
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4
Related Shrines Nationwide
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5
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hisaizu Shrines (久伊豆神社) are a network of Izumo-tradition shrines concentrated in Saitama Prefecture (ancient Musashi Province), enshrining Ōnamuchi no Mikoto — an ancient name for Ōkuninushi, the great deity of matchmaking and nation-building enshrined at Izumo Taisha. According to tradition, the faith was carried to the Kantō Plain by descendants of the ancient Izumo clan. Even the legendary warrior Taira no Masakado is said to have prayed at these shrines.
The Deity — Who Is Ōnamuchi no Mikoto?
Ōnamuchi as an Ancient Name for Ōkuninushi
Ōnamuchi no Mikoto (“Great Lord of the Land”) is one of the oldest recorded names for Ōkuninushi no Mikoto, the deity of Izumo Taisha. The two names refer to the same divine figure.
Name
Meaning
Textual Source
Ōkuninushi
Great Lord of the Land
Kojiki, Nihon Shoki
Ōnamuchi
Great Master of the Earth
Ancient liturgical texts
Ōmononushi
Great Master of Things
Miwa/Ōyamato tradition
The name “Hisaizu” is believed to derive from “kuninushi” (land-lord) → “kuizu” → “hisaizu” through phonetic shift specific to Musashi Province.
Relationship to Hikawa Shrines
Musashi Province contains both Hisaizu Shrines (enshrining Ōnamuchi/Ōkuninushi) and Hikawa Shrines (enshrining Susanoo, Ōkuninushi’s father-figure). This layering of Izumo-lineage deities across the Kantō Plain reflects a complex ancient religious geography.
Why Hisaizu Faith Spread to Musashi Province
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The Izumo Kokuzo Clan’s Migration East
Historians believe that descendants of the Izumo kokuzo (provincial governor lineage claiming descent from Ōkuninushi) migrated to Musashi Province in ancient times, establishing shrines dedicated to their ancestral deity. This explains the concentration of Hisaizu Shrines in modern-day Koshigaya, Kazo, and Saitama cities.
Taira no Masakado’s Legend
Taira no Masakado (died 940), the rebel warrior who briefly declared himself “New Emperor” of eastern Japan, is said to have prayed at Hisaizu Shrines before his uprising. While the historical evidence is limited, this legend reinforced the shrines’ identity as guardians of Musashi’s warrior culture.
Blessings and Proper Worship
Key Benefits
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Matchmaking and marriage — sharing Ōkuninushi’s famous en-musubi power
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Business prosperity and financial luck
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Cutting bad ties (en-kiri) — the flip side of matchmaking
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Agricultural blessings and healing
Recommended Pilgrimage Route
Combine Hisaizu Shrine (Koshigaya) with Ōmiya Hachimangu and Hikawa Shrine (Omiya) for a full “Musashi Izumo-tradition” day trip from Tokyo.
Related Shrines Nationwide
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Hikawa Shrine (Sagamihara/Omiya) — Musashi Province’s chief shrine, Susanoo
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Ōmiwa Shrine — Mount Miwa, the original seat of Ōkuninushi’s spirit
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Ōmiya Hachimangu — Musashi’s Three Great Hachiman
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Kasuga Taisha — Nara expression of Izumo tradition
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Suwa Taisha — enshrines Takeminakata, son of Ōkuninushi
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the most famous Hisaizu Shrine?
The Hisaizu Shrine in Koshigaya City, Saitama (越谷市久伊豆神社) is the most famous, known for its spectacular wisteria (fuji) trellis that blooms in May — one of the finest wisteria displays in the Kantō region. The Kisai Shrine (旧久伊豆神社) in Kazo City is also significant.
How is Hisaizu Shrine different from Hikawa Shrine?
Hisaizu Shrines enshrine Ōnamuchi/Ōkuninushi, while Hikawa Shrines enshrine Susanoo. Susanoo is considered Ōkuninushi’s father or father-in-law in different traditions. Both belong to the Izumo-tradition faith complex in Musashi Province and share blessings of matchmaking and good fortune, but Hikawa Shrine (Omiya) holds the higher rank as ichinomiya of Musashi Province.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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