Munakata Taisha: A World Heritage Site Offers Glimpses of Japan’s Past

The main hall and prayer hall of Okitsumiya on Okinoshima. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Nakatsumiya’s main hall and prayer hall, on Ōshima. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

The main hall and prayer hall of Hetsumiya, in the city of Munakata, Fukuoka. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

The three shrines of Munakata Taisha

Artifacts unearthed at Site 17. Twenty-one mirrors facing upward and stacked atop one another were placed in a rock crevice. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Bronze mirrors excavated at Site 17. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Bronze mirrors excavated at Site 17. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Site 21. Several offerings surrounded by smaller rocks were placed atop the large rock at the center. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Gilt bronze horse pendants found at Site 7. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Excavation at Site 5. The crevice at the rear contained miniatures of a five-stringed harp, bobbins for spinning thread, and other objects. In the foreground are earthenware vessels used for offering rituals. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

Gilt bronze miniatures of weaving implements and other objects from Sites 1, 5, and 22. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

A gilt bronze miniature of a five-stringed harp, excavated from Site 5. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)

An earthenware vessel found at Site 5. (Courtesy of Munakata Taisha)