Hasui, Kawase (1883 – 1957), “Dawn at Futamigaura Beach”

Notes: This striking woodblock print depicts the famous, "married couple rocks" at Sakurai Futamigaura, Sakurai Shrine, backlit by the rising sun. Standing in the sea about 150 meters from the coast, the “Meoto Iwa (Meoto)” has long been loved as a symbol of marital harmony. The area has been carefully protected as a sacred place of Sakurai-jinja Shrine (Cultural properties by prefecture) since ancient times, and it enshrines male and female gods that appear in Japanese mythology. During the spring tide in May, the large Shimenawa rope is re-tied, and the two rocks (Izanami and Izanagi) are connected.