Munakata clan

The  is a Japanese clan that looks after Munakata Taisha. The clan was known for being skilled at sailing.  
They are said to have the same origin as the Izumo clan, but they serve the daughters of Susanoo instead of Susanoo himself.https://www.munakata-archives.asia/Dat/bunken/0000000073_02.pdf 

Members of the clan are buried in the .

The clan had strong ties with the Imperial family. They sometimes married into the imperial family and kept trade with mainland Asia even after Japan stopped official missions to China. They also controlled sea trade and rights.

Today, only priests live on Okinoshima, a sacred island with a large stone altar. From 1954 to 1972, archaeologists studied the island and found signs of old religious ceremonies and objects from the 4th to 9th centuries. These finds helped people understand early Shinto worship.

Over 100,000 objects have been found on Okinoshima. Some came from China, Korea, and Iran. Many are now National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. People are not allowed to talk about what happens on Okinoshima or take anything from it.

If the clan began as Kuni no miyatsuko and later became priests at Munakata Taisha, they share a similar past with the  of Aso Shrine, the  of Atsuta Shrine, the Izumo clan of Izumo-taisha, the  of , and the Yamato clan of Ōyamato Shrine.

Related pages

 Yamato clan
 Izumo clan





 Urabe clan
 Sarume clan
 Kii no Kuni no Miyatsuko


References

Category:Japanese clans