Munakata Taisha

Munakata Taisha 宗像大社
Hetsu-no-Miya Honden of 1578 (ICP)
Religion
Affiliation	Shinto
Deity	Ichikishima Hime-no-Kami Tagitsu Hime-no-Kami Tagori Hime-no-Kami
Type	Munakata Shrine
Location
Location	2331, Tashima, Munakata Fukuoka 〒811-3505 1811, Ōshima, Munakata Fukuoka 〒811-3701
Shown within Japan
Geographic coordinates	33°49′53″N 130°30′50″E / 33.83139°N 130.51389°E / 33.83139; 130.51389
Website
www.munakata-taisha.or.jp
Glossary of Shinto

Munakata Taisha is a group of three Shinto shrines located in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is considered the head shrine among approximately 6,000 Munakata shrines throughout the country. While the name Munakata Taisha refers to all three shrines - Hetsu-gū, Nakatsu-gū, and Okitsu-gū - it is commonly used to specifically refer to Hetsu-gū. As mentioned in Japan's second oldest book, Nihon Shoki, the shrines are dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses known as Munakata-sanjojin.

These deities, known as Munakata-sanjojin, are believed to be either daughters of the goddess Amaterasu, who is considered the ancestress of the imperial family, or daughters of Susanoo, who has been worshipped at Munakata Taisha as the god of mariners for many years. Over time, Susanoo has also come to be revered as the god of traffic safety on land.

Munakata Taisha is also home to many Japanese treasures. Hetsu-gū's honden (main shrine) and haiden (main prayer hall) are both designated Important Cultural Properties and the precincts are a Historic Site

Munakata Taisha is not only a place of worship, but also home to many precious Japanese treasures. The honden (main shrine) and haiden (main prayer hall) of Hetsu-gū are designated as Important Cultural Properties, and the entire precincts are recognized as a Historic Site.^[1] In addition, the shrine's treasure hall called Shinpō-kan, located at the southwest corner of Hetsu-gū's grounds, holds numerous valuable relics, including six National Treasures of Japan. The Shinpō-kan houses over 120,000 artifacts that were excavated on Okinoshima, an island associated with Munakata Taisha..^[2]

1. ↑ "宗像神社境内" [Munakata Jinja Precinct]. Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
2. ↑ "Stroll through Munakata History". 宗像市公式Webサイト. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-06-02.