The Three Munakata goddesses

The Three Munakata goddesses

The Three Munakata goddesses is a group of goddesses, Tagirihime-no-mikoto, Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto and Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto, that were born in the ukei between Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto. The three goddesses are enshrined in more than 6000 shrines, including the head shrine, Munakata Taisha, and Itsukushima shrine. Enshrined in the key point between Japan and the continent, the three goddesses have been worshipped as gods providing safety for marine traffic since ancient times, and today, as a gods providing protection for all kinds of "road "s.

• Tagirihime-no-mikoto (多紀理毘売命)
• Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto (市寸島比売命)
• Takitsuhime-no-mikoto (多岐都比売命)

Ukei of Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto

Susanō-no-mikoto, before going to Ne-no-katasukuni, thought he would visit Takamagahara to see his sister, Amaterasu-ōmikami, to say farewell. But this caused the mountains and rivers to rage, and the land to tremble, so Amaterasu-ōmikami thought that Susanō-no-mikoto came to invade Takamagahara and met him armed. Susanō-no-mikoto said that they should have an ukei, to clear himself of suspicion.

First, Amaterasu-ōmikami washed Susanō-no-mikoto's Totsuka-no-tsurugi with the water of Ame-no-manai, chewed it and breathed out. From her breath, the three goddesses, Tagirihime-no-mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto and Takitsuhime-no-mikoto were born. Then, Susanō-no-mikoto chewed the magatamas, Amaterasu-ōmikami was wearing in her hair, chewed it and breathed out. From his breath, five male gods were born.

Susanō-no-mikoto said that, since gentle goddesses were born from his sword, he won the trial and proved innocent and he was able to enter Takamagahara.

The descent to the Genkai sea

Amaterasu-ōmikami gave Tagirihime-no-mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto and Takitsuhime-no-mikoto a shinchoku saying, you three goddesses descend to the Michinaka to provide protection, and be worshipped by the Amemima.

Tagirihime-no-mikoto descended to the island of Okinoshima, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto to the island of Ōshima and Takitsuhime-no-mikoto to Tajima in Munakata, and where they were enshrined became Munakata Taisha.

Michinushi-no-muchi

Enshrined by the Genkai sea, which is a rough sea, the Three Munakata goddesses had been worshipped as gods providing safety for marine traffic since ancient times. Like it is said their was a miraculous virtue when Empress Jingū prayed for a safe voyage before the Sankan-seibatsu, the Imperial Coart became to see the three goddesses as important gods.

The Three Munakata goddesses are also called "Michinushi-no-muchi (道主貴)", and were revered as the most precious gods that shows the way. "muchi (貴)" is a honorific title for the most precious god. Besides the three goddesses, only Amaterasu-ōmikami, called "Ōhirume-no-muchi (大日靈貴)", and Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto, called "Ōnamuchi (大己貴)" have the same title.

As road transportation advanced, the three goddesses became to be believed to have powers for Traffic safety. The Three Munakata goddesses are believed to provide protection for all kinds of "road "s.

The Three Munakata goddesses and the Munakata clan

It is said that the three Munakata goddesses were indigenous gods worshipped by the Munakata clan, that had power over the Munakata region and the Genkai sea. The route from Kinai, where the Imperial Court was, through the Seto Inland Sea, to the Korean Peninsula was called the Kaihokudōchū. As the cultural exchange between the continent grew, the importance of the Munakata area, located on the route, also increased. The Three Munakata goddesses, worshipped for safeties of voyages, became to be worshipped as one of the national deities by the 4th century and were documented in Kojiki and Nihon-shoki.

Where the three goddesses are enshrined

Where each of the Three Munakata goddesses are enshrined, and the order of their birth differ with historical materials.

Kojiki

Nihon shoki

Main story

According to the main biography of Nihon Shoki and the shrine biography of Munakata Taisha, the three goddesses are enshrined in the following way. Also, the three goddesses are enshrined in this way in current day Munakata Taisha.

Aru-fumi

In the first Aru-fumi of the sixth paragraph, the goddesses were born in the order as follows.

In the second Aru-fumi of the sixth paragraph, the goddesses were born in the order as follows.

In the third Aru-fumi of the sixth paragraph, the goddesses were born in the order as follows.

Also, according to the third issho, the three goddesses first descended to "Usashima", said to be in the modern Usa city in Ōita prefecture, then re-enshrined in the Kaihokudōchū.

Related shrines

These are some shrines those enshrine the Three Munakata goddesses.

Munakata Taisha

The head shrine of the Three Munakata goddesses. Located in Munakata city, Fukuoka prefecture.

Enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-kami in the Hetsugū, Tagitsuhime-no-kami in the Nakatsugū and Tagorihime-no-kami in Okitsugū.

Itsukushima shrine

Located in Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture.

Enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto, Tagorihime-no-mikoto and Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto.

Iwashimizu Hachimangū

Located in Yawata city, Kyōto Prefecture.

Enshrines Tagiribime-no-mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto and Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto as Hime-ōkami.

Usa Jingū

Located in Usa city, Ōita prefecture.

Enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto and Tagirihime-no-mikoto as Hime-ōkami.

Tajima shrine

Located in Karatsu city, Saga prefecture.

Enshrines Tagorihime-no-mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto and Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto as the Three Tajima gods.

Enoshima shrine

Located in Fujisawa city, Kanagawa prefecture.

Enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto in the Hetsumiya, Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto in Nakatsumiya and Tagirihime-no-mikoto in Okitsumiya as Enoshima-ōkami.

The Three Munakata goddesses are also enshrined in more than 6000 shrines around Japan, such as in Munakata shrines and Itsukushima shrines.

Related gods

Amaterasu-ōmikami

The Three Munakata goddesses were born in the ukei of Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto.

Susanō-no-mikoto

The Three Munakata goddesses were born in the ukei of Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto.