A seaweed amulet that can bring you blessings after purification at Futamiura
Futami Okitama Shrine, which enshrines Sarutahiko-no-Okami and is adjacent to Futamiura, a scenic spot known for its Meoto Iwa rocks. Many lucky charms of the Futami frog are dedicated within the shrine grounds, and we have previously introduced this frog.
In fact, this shrine has another very interesting offering. The sea of Futamiura, which spreads out in front of the temple, is also a sacred place for bathing and purification, and since ancient times, it has been customary to bathe and purify oneself in Futamiura, a practice known as "hama-sangu," before visiting Ise Grand Shrine. The talisman that serves as a substitute for this is this "Muku Shiokusa."
This is the amulet used in the "Mogakari Shinto Ritual," in which priests harvest the eelgrass (Zostera marina) that grows abundantly around the Okitama Sacred Stone submerged in Futamiura. The priests board a Japanese boat strung with sacred ropes and harvest the eelgrass with hand sickles, then dry it in the sun. Wearing this amulet or putting it in a bath can serve as a form of purification at Futamiura.
