Munakata Shrine
Encyclopedia
is a collection of three Shinto
shrines located in Munakata
, Fukuoka Prefecture
, Japan
. It is the head of the approximately 6,000 Munakata shrines all over the country. Although the name Munakata Taisha refers all three shrines—Hetsu-gū, Nakatsu-gū and Okitsu-gū—it is commonly used to refer to Hetsu-gū alone. As documented in Japan's second oldest book, Nihon Shoki
, the shrines are devoted to the three Munakata goddesses. These kami
are believed to be daughters of the god Amaterasu
, the ancestor of the imperial family
. Susanoo
has also been worshipped there for many years as the god of mariners, and he has come to be worshipped as the god of traffic safety on land as well.
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
. The , the shrine's treasure hall located on the southwest corner of Hetsu-gū's grounds, houses many important relics including six National Treasures of Japan
. Over 120,000 artifacts housed in the Shinpō-kan were unearthed on Okinoshima.
. Nakatsu-gū is established at the foot of Mt. Mitake on the island of Ōshima
off the west coast of Kyūshū. The final shrine, Okitsu-gū, is on the island of Okinoshima
located in the middle of the Genkai Sea
. The shrine occupies the entire island, therefore women are not allowed to set foot on the island and men must perform a purification ceremony before landing. A movement to have UNESCO
designate Okinoshima a World Heritage Site
has spread all over Japan, with its focus in Kyūshū.
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
shrines located in Munakata
Munakata, Fukuoka
is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the north Chikuzen region of the prefecture.As of April 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 94,660 and the density of 791 persons per km 2...
, Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is the head of the approximately 6,000 Munakata shrines all over the country. Although the name Munakata Taisha refers all three shrines—Hetsu-gū, Nakatsu-gū and Okitsu-gū—it is commonly used to refer to Hetsu-gū alone. As documented in Japan's second oldest book, Nihon Shoki
Nihon Shoki
The , sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki, the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeologists as it includes the most complete extant historical...
, the shrines are devoted to the three Munakata goddesses. These kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
are believed to be daughters of the god Amaterasu
Amaterasu
, or is apart of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. She is the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. the name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning "shining in heaven." The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-ōmikami, is "the great August kami who...
, the ancestor of the imperial family
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
. Susanoo
Susanoo
, also known as is the Shinto god of the sea and storms. He is also considered to be ruler of Yomi.-Myths:In Japanese mythology, Susanoo, the powerful storm of Summer, is the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. All three were born from Izanagi, when...
has also been worshipped there for many years as the god of mariners, and he has come to be worshipped as the god of traffic safety on land as well.
Munakata Taisha is also home to many Japanese treasures. Hetsu-gū's honden
Honden
The , is the most sacred building at a Shinto shrine, intended purely for the use of the enshrined kami, usually symbolized by a mirror or sometimes by a statue. The building is normally in the rear of the shrine and closed to the general public. In front of its usually stands the haiden, or...
(main shrine) and haiden
Haiden (Shinto)
In Shinto shrine architecture, the is the hall of worship or oratory. It is generally placed in front of the shrine's main sanctuary and often built on a larger scale than the latter. The haiden is often connected to the honden by a heiden, or hall of offerings...
(main prayer hall) are both designated Important Cultural Properties
Important Cultural Properties of Japan
The term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....
. The , the shrine's treasure hall located on the southwest corner of Hetsu-gū's grounds, houses many important relics including six National Treasures of Japan
National treasures of Japan
National Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...
. Over 120,000 artifacts housed in the Shinpō-kan were unearthed on Okinoshima.
Three shrines
All three shrines are located in Fukuoka Prefecture, yet they are all on separate islands. The main shrine, Hetsu-gū, is located on the mainland of KyūshūKyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. Nakatsu-gū is established at the foot of Mt. Mitake on the island of Ōshima
Oshima, Fukuoka
was a village located in Munakata District, Fukuoka, Japan. The village consisted of the island of Okinoshima and an island also named .On March 28, 2005 the village merged into the city of Munakata....
off the west coast of Kyūshū. The final shrine, Okitsu-gū, is on the island of Okinoshima
Okinoshima, Munakata
is an island, part of the city of Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It is considered sacred land by the local Munakata Taisha. The island's population consists of a single employee of the shrine. The entire island is considered a shinto kami, and the island is off limits to women. A movement exists to get...
located in the middle of the Genkai Sea
Genkai Sea
The is a body of water that comprises the southwestern tip of the Sea of Japan and borders the northern coasts of Fukuoka and Saga prefectures....
. The shrine occupies the entire island, therefore women are not allowed to set foot on the island and men must perform a purification ceremony before landing. A movement to have UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
designate Okinoshima a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
has spread all over Japan, with its focus in Kyūshū.
| Shrine Name | Enshrined Deity | Island Location | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyūshū Kyushu is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands.... |
33°49′51.92"N 130°30′51.65"E | ||
| Ōshima Oshima, Fukuoka was a village located in Munakata District, Fukuoka, Japan. The village consisted of the island of Okinoshima and an island also named .On March 28, 2005 the village merged into the city of Munakata.... |
33°53′49.17"N 130°25′56"E | ||
| Okinoshima Okinoshima, Munakata is an island, part of the city of Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It is considered sacred land by the local Munakata Taisha. The island's population consists of a single employee of the shrine. The entire island is considered a shinto kami, and the island is off limits to women. A movement exists to get... |
34°14′33.24"N 130°6′14.10"E |