"One and Two: Do You Know the Beautiful Meaning Behind Meiji Shrine's 'Aiwamori' Amulet That Couples Should Hold Together?"

Meiji Jingu: A Place to Enshrine Couples

Located just a short walk from Harajuku Station, Meiji Jingu is a place dedicated to enshrining Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken (the wife of Emperor Meiji). Did you know that?

Emperor Meiji was the emperor at the time of the Meiji Restoration, when political power was returned from the Edo Shogunate to the Imperial Court.

He was the first emperor at the beginning of the new era when the Imperial Court and the Imperial Household Agency took the lead in the country after the long-standing shogunate politics ended.

Emperor Meiji, who operated from the Imperial Palace (formerly Edo Castle), and his empress, Empress Shoken,

were greatly loved by the people for their modernization reforms, such as the abolition of the class system and promoting openness to the world as represented by the "Five Articles of Oath."

Although their graves are located at Fushimi Momoyama Shrine in Kyoto, after their death, the desire of the people of Tokyo to "enshrine the couple in Tokyo!!" grew strong, leading to a collaboration between the government and private sector to fund the establishment of what is now the inner and outer gardens of Meiji Jingu.

The forest of Meiji Jingu, planted with 100,000 trees, is an oasis in the city♡

It is also known as a power spot for many, as it ranks first in Japan for the number of visitors during the New Year’s shrine visit.

Meiji Jingu is Full of Couple Motifs♡

As a place that enshrines Emperor Meiji and his wife, Meiji Jingu is famous for being sprinkled with happy motifs that suggest couples.

(It is said that Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken had a very close relationship.)

For example, the couple camphor tree stands tall in the shrine grounds.

This camphor tree was planted as a symbol of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Just like this great tree that stands side by side now and will in the future, it resembles the harmonious couple.

Amulets Come as a Couple Set＊

There is an amulet called "Sōwa-mamori" at Meiji Jingu.

This is a set of two amulets, one for the wife and one for the husband.

Moreover, this relates to the "Family Harmony" phrase stated in the Imperial Rescript on Education, announced by Emperor Meiji in the first year of the Meiji era, which emphasizes that "husbands and wives should live in harmony."

Thus, it has been named "Sōwa-mamori."

It is believed to bring benefits for marital happiness and family safety, and is characterized by a scent infused with the aroma of the couple camphor tree.

Newlyweds who hold their wedding ceremony at the Meiji Memorial Hall operated by Meiji Jingu reportedly receive this Sōwa-mamori as a complimentary gift♡

There are even those who visit Meiji Jingu to receive the Sōwa-mamori on their way back from registration and then have dinner or lunch at Omotesando or Yoyogi Uehara... spending their registration day in this way.

(So stylish!♡)

Let’s Pray for Couples to Always Be Happy Together♩

This Sōwa-mamori of Meiji Jingu is something for both those who are about to become a couple and those who are already married to know about for marital harmony.

We introduced the Sōwa-mamori of Meiji Jingu♡

Meiji Jingu is super famous, but surprisingly there might not be many who know exactly what kind of place it is.

It’s fun to research together, so definitely give it a try!♡