February 2nd, 2020
Munakata Taisha and Sazō Idemitsu
Idemitsu Sazō, the founder of the major petroleum company Idemitsu Kōsan, was known to have worshipped Munakata Taisha. Sazō, born in Munakata, visited the shrine in 1937 and was grieved seeing the ruined shrine. He organized a union to carry out restoration of the shrine and made effort for repairs at his own expense. To remember his efforts, Munakata Taisha wished to build a memorial of Sazō but he refused, so his name remains nowhere in the shrine.
The lanterns that stands near the pond was dedicated by Sazō. Also, The words written on the water bowl and the stone monuments in front of Tei-ni-gū and Tei-san-gū were written by him.
A world heritage site
“Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region” is the 21st site in Japan inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The point that the unique cult of worshipping a sacred island has continued for more than 1600 years, from the 4th century, was assessed valuable and was inscribed in 2017.
Munakata Taisha Hetsugū is a part of the world heritage sites along with Okinoshima. The point that it is a place of worship for the three Munakata goddesses originating from the ancient ritual ceremonies that took place in Okinoshima has been assessed valuable.
