The kami enshrined at Okuni Jinja is Ōnamuchi-no-mikoto, who is also known as Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto, which means "Great Land Master". In Japanese, that is abbreviated, with love and respect, to Daikoku-sama.
Dakioku-sama was delighted by the abundance of food offerings from the mountains and the seas, and said, "Both the people of the forest and the people of the shore have made me happy through their offerings. I should grant them further blessings". And he swung his mallet again.
All at once, the green forest was painted in red and yellow — the colourful leaves of autumn. The verdant forests and the clear currents of the rivers made a beautiful scene. With the changing seasons, cherry blossoms and irises brought their own colours.
"Daikoku-sama, look at this thing that fell from the trees. It's a weird shape and has a hole in," said the rabbit, showing the kami the nuts of the Hyōnoki tree.
"Let me have one of those," Daikoku-sama said, and he took the nut and blew into it, creating a beautiful sound.
The sound drew the attention of a female kami, who gracefully descended from the heavens.
"What a lovely sound this flute has! May I listen to it for a bit longer?"
"Of course!" Daikoku-sama replied. "Leave it to me!"
As Daikoku-sama played, the female kami started to dance to the music, and the two kami passed the time amiicably.
These days, the clear sounds can be heard in the grounds of Okuni Jinja. The sounds of flutes, drums, and small gongs, played with all their heart by the villagers, echo in the area, and children in gorgeous costumes begin to dance. The children's dance is followed by the adults', in symbolic masks.
This is the Jūnidan-bugaku of Okuni Jinja, classical court music and dance, transmitted from the distant capital of Kyoto. It resounds throughout the ancient forest, music and dance of surpassing beauty.
Daikoku-sama was also delighted with the performance.
In this way, the people received the blessings of the kami, and lived reverently, with grateful hearts.
