The 'Married' Rocks at Futami-No-Ura

'Every season has its religious festivals. On the 5th of January, for example, the cord joining two rocks off the coast at Futami-no-ura is ceremonially renewed. These rocks are married and, better still, they represent the divine creative couple, Izanagi and Izanami. One goes to see them as a matter of course, especially if one happens to be nearby, at Uji-Yamada on a visit to the famous ancient shrines at Ise. Post-cards display the rocks out in the sea.'

Excerpt from Japan by Yéfime.
Translated by Raymond Jones. Vista Books, 1962.
Originally published in French, as part of Petite Planète (Edition de Seuil from 1954),
a series of travel guides initiated by Chris Marker.


The 'Married' Rocks at Futami-No-Ura

30 panel leporello card book showing a collection of found postcards depicting the ‘Married’ Rocks at Futami-no-ura, a famous Shinto shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan. According to Shinto, the rocks represent the union of two deities in marriage. The two are joined by a shimenawa, a heavy rope of rice straw, that is ceremonially renewed three times per year. At dawn during the summer months it is possible to see the sun rising between the two rocks. The earliest known image of the shrine dates from the 14th century.

The publication replicates the form of a souvenir postcard-book with perforated panels that may be torn and used as postcards to send.

Published by Setsuko, 2023
Typography by Margherita Sabbioneda
Offset litho printed by Aldgate Press
Edition of 500 copies
Softcover, 30 pages with wraparound cover
105 x 148 x 17 cm
328 cm unfolded