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Munakata, where the three goddesses descended~Part 1 Hetsugū

Article writtenSep.3rd, 2020
Aug.13th,2018
Munakata Taisha consists of three shrines, the Hetsugū, the Nakatsugū and the Okitsugū, each dedicated for one of the three Munakata Goddesses. A visit to Hetsugū.
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Munakata Taisha is a shrine located in Munakata city, Fukuoka prefecture. It is the head shrine of more than 6000 Munakata shrines and Itsukushima shrines around Japan. Munakata Taisha consists of 3 shrines, the Hetsugū located on the main land of Kyūshū, the Nakatsugū located on the island of Ōshima, and the Okitsugū located on the island of Okinoshima. Especially, the entire island of Okinoshima is a part of Munakata Taisha, and has been regarded as sacred a sacred island.

Munakata Taisha is dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses, and is said to be where the three goddesses descended. Since where the Munakata Taisha is had been the key point of marine traffic, it had been worshipped as the god of all kinds of 'road's.

Munakata Taisha was listed as a World Heritage site, "Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region", in 2017.

The Hetsugū is the main shrine of the three Munakata Taisha shrines. Located on the main land of Kyūshū, it is dedicated to Ichikishimahime-no-kami.

Visiting the Munakata Taisha Hetsugū.

01

【About】About 30 minutes from Hakata station, in central Fukuoka, and getting off at Tōgō station. It is the closest station to Munakata Taisha.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

02

【About】A torī is drawn on the station sign.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

03

【About】There is a map of Munakata area for tourists on the platform.。
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

04

【About】The station building of Tōgō station. It was rebuilt in 2017, when Munakata Taisha was registrated as a World Heritage Site.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

05

【About】Getting on the bus to Munakata Taisha from the front of the station.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

06

【About】In about 10 minutes, arrived at "Munakata Taisha-mae" bus stop.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

07

【About】The Hetsugū is just around the corner.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

08

【About】Going straight, not turning at the first corner, will go to the first torī.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

09

【About】The sign of Munakata Taisha, "The head shrine, god of the 'road'"
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

10

【About】The approach to the main shrine starts at this torī.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

11

【About】The first torī carries the shrine name "Munakata shrine".
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

12

【About】Going to the first torī.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

13

【About】A stone monument with the letters "Taisha Munakata shrine". The word "Kanpei" is erased.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

14

【About】Looking back at the path.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

15

【About】The second torī.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

16

【About】The second torī also carries the name of the shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

17

【About】After going through the second torī, there is a pond called "Shinji-ike", meaning its shaped like the kanji "心(Meaning, the heart)".
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

18

【About】There are some carps in the "Shinji-ike", and can be fed.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

19

【About】The carps in "Shinji-ike".
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

20

【About】Crossing "Shinji-ike", by an arched bridge. It is said, crossing the pond will purify one's mind before entering the shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

21

【About】The approach seen from the arched bridge.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

22

【About】On the right side is a haraesha, a purification hall.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

23

【About】On the left is a chōzuya, a watershed to cleanse your hands.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

24

【About】Inside the chōzuya is a water bowl, which is a large monolith. There are no dippers at the Chōzuya so you cleanse you hands by catching water directly.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

25

【About】After the chōzuya, there is the Shinmon, the entrance of the main shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

26

【About】A komainu on the right of the Shinmon, made of bronze.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

27

【About】The other komainu, on the left.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

28

【About】On the doors of the Shinmon is a chrysanthemum crest which is the shrine's crest. Chrysanthemum crests can be seen at shrines related to the Imperial family. Why Munakata Taisha's crest is a chrysanthemum crest is because the deities descended with the oracle to protect the successive Emperors.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

29

【About】Going through the Shinmon. Inside, there is the Haiden, the worship hall, and the Honden, the main shrine, that enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-kami.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

30

【About】Inside the Haiden is a replica of Sanjūrokkasen-hengaku, pictures of the Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry, dedicated to the shrine by Kuroda Mitsuyuki, the third head of the Fukuoka domain. At the far end is a hengaku of Amaterasu-ōmikami's oracle.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

31

【About】The Haiden and the Honden in behind. It is unclear when the first shrine buildings were built, but it is said that the shrine was destroyed by war many times, and was rebuilt every time. The Haiden that exists now was rebuilt in 1590, andthe Honden in 1590, after they were destroyed by fire in 1557.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

32

【About】A graceful Honden with a curved roof. The Honden is "Ryo-nagare-zukuri", a style of gable roof. In a regular "Nagare-zukuri", the roof only extends to the front, but in "Ryo-nagare-zukuri", the roof extends also to the rear.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

33

【About】The Honden, in a beautiful vermilion and white livery, was restored in 2013.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

34

【About】The chrysanthemum crest can be seen on the roof too.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

35

【About】On the right side is a oak tree which is the goshimboku of Munakata shrine. The leaves of an oak are designed as a secondary crest of the shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

36

【About】This tree is said to be 550 years old.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

37

【About】On the right side of the Honden, there is the entrance of the path to Takamiya-saijō.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

38

【About】There are some branch shrines around the path.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

39

【About】The Ebisu shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

40

【About】Next to the Ebisu shrine, is the Matsuo shrine.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

41

【About】Continuing on to Takamiya-saijō.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

42

【About】A torī in sight.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

43

【About】Before the torī, there is a goshimboku called "Aioi-no-kashi".
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

44

【About】The two oak trees are connected with each other by a branch, and it is said that it gives good luck on fulfillment of love and happy marriage.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

45

【About】Continuing on to Takamiya-saijō.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

46

【About】Going up some stairs.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

47

【About】At the top, is Takamiya-saijō.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

48

【About】The Takamiya-saijō, about 10 minutes from the Honden, is where it is told that the three Munakata Goddesses descented.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

49

【About】In ancient times shrines were not permanent buildings, and were alters only made during ritual ceremonies. The Takamiya-saijō is located in a place called "Shimo-takamiya remains" and was recreated during the repairs in Shōwa era, considering archaeological studies. Behind the Takamiya-saijō there is the "Kami-takamiya remains", which is off limits.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

50

【About】Takamiya-saijō is one of the few places an ancient ceremonial place can be seen. Some ritual ceremonies such as Takamiya-Kannabi-sai still take place here.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

51

【About】At Takamiya-saijō there is a charm that can only be received here.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

52

【About】Turning back, to the main shrine. On the way the Genkai sea can be seen through the trees.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

53

【About】Going down the stairs.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

54

【About】Back at the torī, but turning right.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

55

【About】In the far end of Hetsugū, there is the Tei-ni-gū and Tei-san-gū. Each of them enshrine the divided spirits of Tagorihime-no-kami, enshrined in Okitsugū in the island of Okinoshima, and Tagitsuhime-no-kami, enshrined in Nakatsugū in the island of Ōshima. By worshipping here it is able to worship all three Munakata Taisha shrines.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

56

【About】On the right is Tei-ni-gū, meaning second shrine, that enshrines the devided spirit of Tagorihime-no-kami.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

57

【About】On the left is Tei-san-gū, meaning third shrine, that enshrines the devided spirit of Tagitsuhime-no-kami.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

58

【About】The Tei-san-gū from the left. The two shrines built in "Shinmei-zukuri" style were built with wood that were used in Izanagi-no-miya and Izanami-no-miya in the Ise Grand shrine until the 60th Sengū ceremony.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

59

【About】The Tei-san-gū from behind. In the repairs in 2017, the wood from the 62nd Sengū ceremony, of Ise Grand shrine, were used.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

60

【About】Going back to the main shrine again.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

61

【About】Around the Honden are 121 branch shrines enshrined in 21 buildings. The ones on the right side.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

62

【About】The branch shrines behind the Honden.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

63

【About】Some other branch shrines behind the Honden.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

64

【About】Branch shrines on the left side of the Honden, and a emadō to hang emas.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

65

【About】The path next to the emadō leads to the Shimpō-kan.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

66

【About】The path to the Shimpō-kan, surrounded by a quiet forest.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

67

【About】On the way to Shimpō-kan there is a stone monument engraved with a waka composed by Prince Mikasa when he visited the island of Okinoshima on an academic investigation.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

68

【About】In the island of Okinoshima, where the Okitsugū is, many ancient artifacts, such as stone implements and earthenware has been found. More than 80 thousand artifacts found on Okinoshima are stored in the Shimpō-kan.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

69

【About】Without enough time to see the Shimpō-kan, turning back. The Honden from the left.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

70

【About】The Haiden from the left. A new roof has been built between the Haiden and the Shinmon.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

71

【About】There is a gishikiden, a ceremony hall, on the left side of the Haiden.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

72

【About】Going through the Shinmon and walking back to the shrine entrance.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

73

【About】The arched bridge crossing the Shin-ji-ike.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

74

【About】Back at the first torī. The shrine's approach extends to Port Kōnominato, where ferries to the island of Ōshima docks, as Fukuoka prefectural road no.69.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

75

【About】Next to the approach to the shrine is a large kigan-den, the prayer hall. Various prayers are offered here, and also charms and amulets are available here.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

76

【About】The goshuin of Hetsugū is available at the kigan-den.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

77

【About】There is also are charms with the sacred water of Hetsugū, Nakatsugū or Okitsugū sealed inside. This one with the water of Okitsugū. On the island of Okinoshima, where Okitsugū is, there is a custom that no one should take anything off the island, including things such as trees, weeds, rocks. However, water is permitted to bring back.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

78

【About】The signboard indicating the world heritage site, ""Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region".
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

79

【About】The bus is coming soon. Leaving Munakata Taisha Hetsugū.
【Date】Aug.13th、2018 【Location】Munakata,Fukuoka

The next destination is the Nakatsugū, located on the island of Ōshima.

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