神在月(かみありづき)

かみありづき
noun
Kamiarizuki; tenth lunar month (in the Izumo region)
time-month
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(かみあり)), in contrast to the usual name 神無月(かんなづき), the month without gods.
出雲(いずも)では神在月(かみありづき)という。
In Izumo it is called Kamiarizuki.
神在月(かみありづき)には各地(かくち)の神々(かみがみ)が出雲(いずも)に集(あつ)まるとされる。
During Kamiarizuki, the gods from all around are said to gather in Izumo.
全国(ぜんこく)で神無月(かんなづき)と呼(よ)ぶ月(つき)を、出雲(いずも)だけは神在月(かみありづき)と呼(よ)ぶ。
The month that is called Kannazuki throughout the country is called Kamiarizuki in Izumo alone.

Formed from 神(かみ) (god), 在(あり) (being present), and 月(つき) (month). The name turns the more common 神無月(かんなづき) (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 note

  • The legend holds that deities from across Japan leave their home shrines and meet at 出雲大社(いずもたいしゃ) (Izumo Grand Shrine) to discuss the coming year.
  • Roughly corresponds to November in the modern calendar.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 神無月(かんなづき) (the tenth lunar month)
general
Added 2026.6.18 9:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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