February 5th, 2020
History
Munakata Taisha
The establishment of Munakata Taisha is prehistoric and unclear, but it is said that in the 4th century, at Okinoshima, which is located in the key point between Japan and the continent, ritual ceremonies were held to pray for a safe navigation and successful trade. In this time ritual ceremonies were held outside and in the 7th century a similar ceremonies were began to be held at Mitake-san in Ōshima island and in Tashima on mainland.
In the Kojiki, composed in the early 8th century, and the Nihon-Shoki it is documented that the Munakata clan is worshipping the three Munakata goddesses in 3 shrines, Hetsugū, Nakatsugū and Okitsugū and it can be seen that the elemental worship turned into a worship of personified deities. In folklore, the shrine originates Japanese mythology. In the trial between Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto, when Amaterasu-ōmikami chewed Susanō-no-mikoto's sword and breathes out, the three sisters Tagorihime-no-kami, Tagitsuhime-no-kami and Ichikishimahime-no-kami gave birth from her breath. Under the oracle of Amaterasu-ōmikami, the three goddesses descended to Munakata, looking out on the Genkai sea, and were enshrined in Munakata Taisha. Munakata Taisha is the oldest shrine which the location is documented clearly in the Kojiki and the Nihon-Shoki.
From ancient times Munakata Taisha was worshipped as a local deity, but after Empress Jingū had miraculous efficacies praying for safe navigation during Sankan-Seibatsu, the imperial coart considered Munakata Taisha as an important shrine and worshipped it as a guardian of navigation. under the Ritsuryō system, a large area was designated as a Shingun, an area that was established as a holy precinct, and as the Munakata clan served as priesthood it also had administrative power over the area.
In the Sengoku period the Munakata clan, as it turned into a samurai family, was mobilized in battle and Munakata Taisha was often a target of attack. The Munakata clan declined and Munakata Taisha was destroyed repeatedly, but every time it was restored by efforts by the Imperial court or samurai families. Kobayakawa Takakage, the feudal lord of Chikuzen Province, and the Kuroda family, the head of Fukuoka domain, are told to have rebuilt the shrine.
It is known that, after the Second World War, the ruined shrine was restored by the efforts of Idemitsu Sazō, the founder of the petroleum company Idemitsu Kōsan.
In 2017, Munakata Taisha was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region".
Okitsugū Yōhaijo
It is not clear when this Yōhaijo was built. But it the stone monument at the entrance having the letters "寛延三年 (the 3rd year of Kan-en era, 1750)" engraved indicates that the Yōhaijo was already here in the 18th century. The building that exists now was built in 1933.
It is said that other Yōhaijos existed in Eguchi-hama on mainland Kyūshū, and in Aratsuyama and Uomachi Fukuoka-jo Castle town, during the Edo period.
Enshrined deities
Munakata Taisha
In the ukei of Amaterasu-ōmikami and Susanō-no-mikoto, when Amaterasu-ōmikami chewed Susanō-no-mikoto's sword and breathed out, the three Munakata goddesses were born from her breath. The three goddesses descended to Munakata, under Amaterasu-ōmikami's oracle.
These are the three Munakata Taisha shrines and their enshrined deities.
- Hetsugū
- Ichikishimahime-no-kami (市杵島姫神)
- Nakatsugū
- Tagitsuhime-no-kami (湍津姫神)
- Okitsugū
- Tagorihime-no-kami (田心姫神)
Okitsugū Yōhaijo
Okitsugū Yōhaijo is a place to worship the Okitsugū's' enshrined deity, Tagorihime-no-kami, one of the three Munakata goddesses, from distance.
Divine favor
Since Munakata Taisha has been located in the key point of traffic between Kyūshū and the continent, the three Munakata goddesses were worshipped to provide protection for a Safe navigation. In modern times they are also believed to have powers for Traffic safety for motor traffic as well as marine traffic.
Also, since the three Munakata goddesses descended under the oracle to protect the Imperial family, the three goddesses are believed to bring national prosperity.
