神かみの留る守す

expression, noun

absence of the gods from their shrines in October

Shinto term referring to the belief that in the tenth month of the lunar calendar (now roughly October), the gods leave their local shrines and gather at Izumo Taisha. The phrase is often used in explanations of the month's alternative name, 神無月 (かんなづき).

• 旧きゅう暦れき十じゅう月がつは神かみの留る守すと言いわれ、出雲いずも大たい社しゃに全ぜん国こくの神かみ々がみが集あつまるとされる。

  The tenth month of the old calendar is called 'the gods' absence,' when all the gods of Japan are said to gather at Izumo Taisha.