Artwork description:

Title: MEOTO IWA

Location and Year: Futami, Japan / 2018

Available Print Sizes and Editions
18”x24” / Edition Size of 15 / $750

30”x40” / Edition Size of 10 / $1200

36”x 48” / Edition Size of 5 / $1750 (Artist Proofs)

*All of my photos come with a hand signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.

*Photographs are printed on Hahnemuhle fine art gallery paper, 100% cotton, 308 gsm


Description: Meoto Iwa, or the Married Couple Rocks, are a couple of small rocky stacks in the sea off Futami, Mie, Japan. They are joined by a shimenawa (a heavy rope of rice straw) and are considered sacred by worshippers at the neighboring Futami Okitama Shrine (Futami Okitama Jinja). According to Shinto, the rocks represent the union of the creator of kami, Izanagi and Izanami. The rocks, therefore, celebrate the union in marriage of man and woman. The rope, which weighs over a ton, 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. While the choice of composition came easily, finding the light proved far more difficult. Overcast, cloudy skies ruled the day. When the sun finally began to break through, I had my camera and tripod ready and fired off a couple dozen exposures before the moment had passed. It was a spiritually moving moment I shall never forget.

Materials used:

*Hahnemuhle fine art gallery paper, 100% cotton, 308 gsm using archival pigment inks.

Tags:

#seascape #black and #travel #japan #wall art #no people #kyoto #office art #shrine #hotel art #harv greenberg #meoto iwa