Munakata-taisha Hetsumiya

Munakata-taisha Hetsumiya in Munakata, Fukuoka, is the mainland shrine of the three Munakata shrines and the ichinomiya of former Chikuzen Province. It stands on the Tsuri River, on a line that extends across the Genkai-nada to Nakatsumiya on Oshima and Okitsumiya on Okinoshima. The Takamiya ritual ground behind the present main hall preserves traces of pre-shrine rock-altar worship. The main deity is Ichikishima-hime no Kami, one of the three Munakata sisters; the central shrine venerates the entire triad of Tagori-hime, Tagitsu-hime and Ichikishima-hime. Kojiki (712 CE) records the three goddesses as born from Susanoo's sword in the Ukei narrative. Nihon Shoki (720 CE) identifies them as the deities worshipped by the Munakata clan. Engishiki Jinmyocho (927 CE) registers "Munakata Jinja, three seats, Myojin-Taisha" of Munakata District. The main hall and oratory are Important Cultural Properties. Sacred-island Okinoshima preserves untouched ritual remains, and the three shrines together were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The October Miare-sai is the principal rite.