Futami Okitama Shrine (Futami Okitama Jinja) is a Shinto shrine located in the town of Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is closely associated with the nearby Ise Grand Shrine, one of the most important and holiest Shinto shrines in the country. Futami Okitama Shrine is known for its unique and iconic “Meoto Iwa” (Wedded Rocks) and its symbolism related to the Shinto deities of marriage and fertility.
Key features of Futami Okitama Shrine include:
1. **Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks):** The most famous and distinctive feature of the shrine is the Meoto Iwa, which consists of two large rocks connected by a sacred Shimenawa rope. The larger rock represents the male deity (Izanagi), and the smaller rock represents the female deity (Izanami). The rocks are considered sacred and are symbolically joined in marriage. The Shimenawa rope is renewed in a ceremony that takes place several times a year.
2. **Kamiarai Matsuri:** The Kamiarai Matsuri, or “Hair-Purifying Festival,” is a unique ritual held at Futami Okitama Shrine. During this ceremony, individuals purify their hair in the seawater to receive blessings for good fortune and marital happiness. The belief is that the sacred seawater has purifying properties.
3. **Rituals for Married Couples:** The shrine is particularly associated with rituals and prayers for married couples. Many visitors come to seek blessings for a harmonious and prosperous married life.
4. **Torii Gate in the Sea:** There is a picturesque torii gate in the sea near the Meoto Iwa, adding to the scenic beauty of the location. The torii gate is another iconic feature of the shrine.
5. **Connected to Ise Grand Shrine:** Futami Okitama Shrine is considered an auxiliary or subordinate shrine to Ise Grand Shrine, which is dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Ise Grand Shrine is the primary Shinto shrine in Japan and is known for its periodic rebuilding and the veneration of the Sacred Mirror, one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan.
Futami Okitama Shrine, with its symbolic Meoto Iwa and unique rituals, attracts visitors interested in Shinto traditions, marriage blessings, and the spiritual significance of natural formations. The shrine’s coastal location also offers a serene and scenic environment for visitors to enjoy.
