The character for island or Shima (島) in Japanese originates from the character 㠀. Composed of the character for bird (鳥) and mountain (山), this character represents a bird resting atop a mountain. Moreover, an alternate pronunciation of this character, “tou,” means to arrive, suggesting an island indicates a common destination for people arrive at.

Now, if we look at the Oki Archipelago, the closest island to the mainland is Chiburijima. But, if you include the unpopulated islands, Kanjima Island is the closest.

According to legend, this island was once visited by a god named Amasashihiko-no-Mikoto. If this god is indeed one in the same as Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto, then it means the most esteemed god from the mainland entered the Oki Archipelago from its southernmost island and then crossed over to Chiburijima located right beside it.

By the way, the two islands located directly across from Kanjima are called “Otorī Shima,” and the cape where the god was said to have landed is called “Mikoshi Hana.” As “torī” means gate and “mikoshi” portable shrine, these names must have been penned by the gods.