Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩), or Married Couple Rocks, are a kind of rock formation seen as religiously significant in Shinto, representing the union of the creator kami, Izanagi, and Izanami. The rocks, therefore, celebrate the union in marriage of man and woman.  The most famous pair is at Futami Okitama Shrine in Futami-ura, joined by a shimenawa (a heavy rope of rice straw).  The shimenawa, composed of five separate strands, each weighing 40 kg, must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. The larger rock, said to be male, has a small torii at its peak.  At dawn during the summer, the sun appears to rise between the two rocks. Mount Fuji is visible in the distance. At low tide, the rocks are not separated by water.  We tell you all this because this scene is especially popular on older postcards like this ancient B&W unused example.  Grade: 1