1.
the tenth lunar month, as called in the Izumo region
An old name for the tenth month of the lunar calendar used around Izumo. By legend the gods from across Japan gather at Izumo Shrine that month, so there the gods are present (神在), in contrast to the usual name 神無月, the month without gods.
出雲では神在月という。
In Izumo it is called Kamiarizuki.
神在月には各地の神々が出雲に集まるとされる。
During Kamiarizuki, the gods from all around are said to gather in Izumo.
全国で神無月と呼ぶ月を、出雲だけは神在月と呼ぶ。
The month that is called Kannazuki throughout the country is called Kamiarizuki in Izumo alone.
Formed from 神 (god), 在 (being present), and 月 (month). The name turns the more common 神無月 (month without gods) on its head: since the gods are believed to convene at Izumo, that region treats the tenth lunar month as the month the gods ARE present.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
- The legend holds that deities from across Japan leave their home shrines and meet at 出雲大社 (Izumo Grand Shrine) to discuss the coming year.
- Roughly corresponds to November in the modern calendar.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 神無月: the tenth lunar month — the standard name used everywhere except Izumo