Report on the 2017 Inscription of “Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region" as a Unesco World Heritage Site

UNESCO's 2017 inscription of the 'Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region' as a World Heritage Site highlights the cultural and historical significance of Kyushu, Japan, and its broader maritime connections. The tiny, remote island of Okinoshima, despite its challenging accessibility, has been a locus of ritual practices for over 500 years, with four distinct forms of rituals documented. However, the reasons behind its sacredness remain unclear due to limited access and historical records. Unlike other ancient Japanese sites, Okinoshima's role in mythology and its association with the Munakata region are distinctive. A government-built harbor in 1951 facilitated military access but did not address the broader cultural and historical questions surrounding the site.

Dewitt, L. E. (2018). Report on the 2017 Inscription of “Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region” as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Journal of Asian Humanities at Kyushu University, 3, 135–140. https://doi.org/10.5109/1924413