Kami (Shinto deity)
Ichikishimahime no Kami
市杵島姫神
At Munakata Taisha, Ichikishimahime is enshrined as one of three goddesses, together with Tagorihime no Kami and Tagitsuhime no Kami. In the present-day guide of Munakata Taisha, Ichikishimahime no Kami is the kami of Hetsumiya on the mainland side. This is kept distinct from the accounts of enshrinement sites in the classics.
This page introduces myths and the faith handed down at individual shrines, with their sources. Descriptions of divine virtues are explanations within religious faith and do not guarantee the outcome of any prayer. We do not set uniform rules for the traditions or customs of individual shrines and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
One of the three goddesses of Munakata
At Munakata Taisha, Ichikishimahime is enshrined as one of three goddesses, together with Tagorihime no Kami and Tagitsuhime no Kami. In the present-day guide of Munakata Taisha, Ichikishimahime no Kami is the kami of Hetsumiya on the mainland side. This is kept distinct from the accounts of enshrinement sites in the classics.
Source: 宗像大社・國學院大學
Exchange across the sea, and worship
Munakata Taisha introduces the connection between ancient exchange with other lands and the rites of Munakata, as well as the faith that spread to many regions. We present the tradition of revering Ichikishimahime no Kami as one of the three goddesses, and do not identify her unconditionally with other kami or buddhas.
Source: 宗像大社
Three goddesses born from the pledge
In the Kojiki, at the ukei (pledge) between Amaterasu Ōmikami and Susanoo no Mikoto, three goddesses are born from a sword. Ichikishimahime no Mikoto (市寸島比売命) is one of them. It is also noted that the writing of the names and the sites of enshrinement differ among the classics.
Source: 國學院大學
The classics and present-day enshrinement sites
The section on the pledge in the Kojiki places Ichikishimahime no Mikoto at Nakatsumiya and Tagitsuhime no Mikoto at Hetsumiya. Present-day Munakata Taisha enshrines Ichikishimahime no Kami at Hetsumiya and Tagitsuhime no Kami at Nakatsumiya. We do not rewrite the arrangement in the text to match the present-day guide, but introduce each according to its source.
Source: 國學院大學・宗像大社
An example of a chant (in Japanese)
祓え給い、清め給え、神（かむ）ながら守り給い、幸（さきわ）え給え
Related shrines and temples
- Munakata TaishaMunakata, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Itsukushima JinjaHatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Matsunoo TaishaNishikyō, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
- Kaibara HachimangūTanba, Hyōgo Prefecture
- Kōsō Hachiman JinjaMoji, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Enoshima JinjaFujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Niu Kanshōbu JinjaKudoyama, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture
- Yaotomi JinjaGamagōri, Aichi Prefecture
- Asahiyama JinjaNishi Ward, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Utō JinjaAomori, Aomori Prefecture
- Jūban Inari JinjaMinato, Tokyo
- Hijiyama JinjaMinami, Hiroshima
- Tanakayama JinjaAsaminami, Hiroshima
- Ishiura JinjaKanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Sources (in Japanese)
- 宗像大社「由緒」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「市寸島比売命」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「狭依毘売命」」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「『古事記』上巻・うけひ（校訂本文）」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「市寸島比売命」」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 國學院大學「古事記ビューアー・神名データベース「狭依毘売命」」（2026-10-15 確認）