Translates to ‘the Great Land Master.’ Son in law to Susano Also spelled O-kuni-nushi. He was given providence over sorcery and medicine when Izumo was given to Ninigi to rule. See Susano.  Oh-kuni-nushi is also associated marriage.

Oh-kuni-nushi secured the hand of Susano’s daughter by abducting her. The night they eloped he tied Susano’s hair to the beams of his house. Along with Susano’s daughter Oh-kuni-nushi also took Susano’s sword, bow and arrows, and koto (harp). Susano was woken by the koto playing itself. He followed the sound of the harp and found the pair. He was impressed by their cunning and not only allowed the marriage but allowed them to keep the treasures. He also gave Oh-kuni-nushi the right to rule Izumo.

There is a version of this story involving a white hare. In the variant the connection to Susano is less clear unless the unnamed princess is the afore mentioned daughter of Susano. A white hare on oki had a desire to visit Izumo but could not swim. In order to get to Izumo he made bet with a crocodile that there were more Hares on Izumo then there were crocodiles in the sea. In order to count the crocodiles they lined up end to end and the hare jumped from back to back counting as he went until he made it to Izumo. The last crocodile in line suspected the trick and ripped all the hare’s fur out.

In this state a group of brother on their way to court the princess of Inaba came across him. They teased the hare and suggested that he should bathe in the sea and lay in the wind and his fur would regrow. When the youngest of the brothers, Oh-kuni-nushi arrived the hare was inconsiderable pain. Oh-kuni-nushi bathed the hare in fresh water and dusted his skin with pollen and in time his fur grew back. The hare spoke with his rescuer and found that although he was the youngest brother he also wished the hand of the princess. The hare traveled with Oh-kuni-nushi and when they arrived in Inaba they found that all the older brother had been rejected. The princess was taken with Oh-kuni-nushi and his little friend. The princess married Oh-kuni-nushi and became the ruler of Izumo. The hare made his home with the couple.