Named after Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the Japanese god of night and the moon and descendant of the god Izanaki for whom Izanaki is named.
To help them do this, Izanagi and Izanami were given a spear decorated with jewels, named Ame-no-nuboko (heavenly spear).
Even today, the Izumo Shrine constitutes (as does the Grand Shrine of Ise) one of the more important sacred places of Shinto: it is dedicated to kami, especially to Ōkuninushi (Ō-kuni-nushi-no-mikoto), mythical progeny of Susa-no-Ō and all the clans of Izumo.
The legendary story of Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto and Ura explains that the Prince Ura of Kudara used to live in Kinojo (castle of the devil) and was a cause of trouble for the people living in the village.
Kibi has been associated with the legendary story of Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto prince who fought the ogre "Ura".
Deities enshrined here include Ame-no-Koyane no mikoto (天児屋根命), Kumano no ookami (熊野大神), Itsukushima no ookami (厳島大神), Ookuninushi no mikoto (大国主命), Tenjin (Sugawara no Michizane, 菅原大神), Hachiman (八幡大神), Kotohira ookami (琴平大神), Susanoo no mikoto (素盞鳴男命) and Mikumari no kami (天水分大神).
According to local folklore, deer from this area were considered sacred due to a visit from one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto.
Mononobe clan are descended directly from god of Nigihayahi-no-mikoto (Legend age) by his descendant Mononobe no Arakabi (Kofun period), Takaoka Sadamochi, descendant of Mononobe no Arakahi, is the first who took the name of Takaoka.
During this time Tenri-Ō-no-Mikoto was officially called Tenrin-Ō-Nyorai and the kanji of various other deities were changed, but by 1890 Tenrikyo was given approval by the Meiji government and the original names were restored.