Takitsuhime-no-mikoto

Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto

Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto is one of the Three Munakata goddesses, worshipped since ancient times as a god that protects all kinds of 'road's. Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto is said to had descended to the Genkai sea under the oracle of Amaterasu-ōmikami, and is enshrined in the Nakatsugū at Munakata Taisha.

Name (In the Kojiki)

Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto (多岐都比売命)

Name (In the Nihon shoki)

Tagitsuhime (湍津姫)

Gender

Female god

Mythology

Kojiki

Nihon Shoki

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.

Related shrines

Shrines dedicated to the Three Munakata goddesses

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.

Shrines dedicated to Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto

These are some shrines those enshrine Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto.

Iwakiyama shrine

Located in Hirosaki city, Aomori prefecture

Enshries Utsukushikunitama-no-kami, Tatsubihime-no-kami, Ukanome-no-kami, Ōyamaysumi-no-kami and Sakanoue no Karitamaro.

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.

Tagirihime-no-mikoto

Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto's sister.

Ichikishimahime-no-mikoto

Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto's sister.