oleh Yuka Morii
Clay sculpture
Sacred messenger sharks of the Dragon Palace on their annual lunar pilgrimage to Izawa-no-Miya Shrine.
According to legend, seven sacred sharks, regarded as guardians of the sea and messengers from the Dragon Palace (Ryūgū), swim upstream from the sea to visit Izawa-no-Miya Shrine every sixth month of the traditional lunar calendar. It is said that one of the sharks later died, leaving only six to make the pilgrimage. During this period, people are traditionally forbidden from swimming in the sea or diving for seafood, as the ama (traditional female free divers) do.
According to legend, seven sacred sharks, regarded as guardians of the sea and messengers from the Dragon Palace (Ryūgū), swim upstream from the sea to visit Izawa-no-Miya Shrine every sixth month of the traditional lunar calendar. It is said that one of the sharks later died, leaving only six to make the pilgrimage. During this period, people are traditionally forbidden from swimming in the sea or diving for seafood, as the ama (traditional female free divers) do.
