Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Island, Japan. TheItsukushima Shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of Susanoo no Mikoto, Shinto deity of seas and storms and brother of the great sun deity, Amaterasu. Because the island itself has been considered sacred, in order to maintain its purity commoners were not allowed to set foot on Miyajima through much of its history.
The Itsukushima Shrine buildings were probably erected in the 6th century, and the shrine has been destroyed many times. The present shrine dates from the 16th century, and follows the earlier 12th century design. That design was established in 1168, when funds were provided by the warlord Taira no Kiyomori.
