What is Munakata Taisha?
{{Infobox religious building|name=Munakata Taisha<br>宗像大社|religious_affiliation=[[Shinto]]|image=Honden of Munakata Grand Shrine (Hetsu Shrine).JPG|caption=Hetsu-no-Miya Honden of 1578 ([[Important Cultural Properties of Japan|ICP]])|map_type=Japan|coordinates={{coord|33|49|53|N|130|30|50|E|display=inline,title|region:JP_type:landmark_scale:1100}}|map_size=|map_alt=|map_relief=|map_caption=|location=2331, Tashima, [[Munakata, Fukuoka|Munakata]]<br>[[Fukuoka Prefecture|Fukuoka]] [[〒]]811-3505<br>1811, [[Nii Ōshima|Ōshima]], Munakata<br>Fukuoka 〒811-3701|deity={{ubl|Ichikishima Hime-no-Kami|Tagitsu Hime-no-Kami|Tagori Hime-no-Kami}}|festival=|type=Munakata Shrine|leadership=|website={{URL|http://www.munakata-taisha.or.jp/}}|architecture_style=|founded_by=|established=|date_destroyed=}} '''Munakata Taisha''' is a group of three Shinto shrines located in [[Munakata]], [[Fukuoka Prefecture]], Japan. It is considered the head shrine among approximately 6,000 Munakata shrines throughout the country. While the name Munakata Taisha refers to all three shrines - Hetsu-gū, Nakatsu-gū, and Okitsu-gū - it is commonly used to specifically refer to Hetsu-gū. As mentioned in Japan's second oldest book, Nihon Shoki, the shrines are dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses known as Munakata-sanjojin. These deities, known as Munakata-sanjojin, are believed to be either daughters of the goddess Amaterasu, who is considered the ancestress of the imperial family, or daughters of Susanoo, who has been worshipped at Munakata Taisha as the god of mariners for many years. Over time, Susanoo has also come to be revered as the god of traffic safety on land. Munakata Taisha is also home to many Japanese treasures. Hetsu-gū's ''honden'' (main shrine) and ''haiden'' (main prayer hall) are both designated [[Important Cultural Properties of Japan|Important Cultural Properties]] and the precincts are a Historic Site Munakata Taisha is not only a place of worship, but also home to many precious Japanese treasures. The honden (main shrine) and