Munakata-Sanjoshin

Munakata-Sanjoshin is the triad of heavenly goddesses recorded in Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE), consisting of Takiribime-no-Mikoto, Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto and Takitsuhime-no-Mikoto. Born of the oath of Takehaya-Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Amaterasu-Omikami, they are guardians of the Genkai Sea route. Kojiki Upper Volume oath passage records that Amaterasu broke the ten-grasp sword of Susanoo into three pieces, washed them in the heavenly well, chewed them and breathed forth a mist from which the three goddesses came into being. Nihon Shoki Jindai chapter six variant records, "Amaterasu told the three goddesses, 'Descend and dwell at Usashima of Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni,' and the three descended to three places in Tsukushi and became guardians of the Kaihoku Dochu sea route." The text also says they are "deities to be revered by every generation of emperors." Their father is Takehaya-Susanoo-no-Mikoto by oath; they are sisters of the five male deities including Ame-no-Oshihomimi-no-Mikoto. From medieval times Ichikishimahime fused with Benzaiten. Munakata Taisha in Fukuoka is the head shrine, with Okitsumiya on Okinoshima, Nakatsumiya on Oshima and Hetsumiya at Tashima; Okinoshima preserves a great body of ancient ritual remains and was inscribed in 2017 on the UNESCO World Heritage list.