At the spacious residence of the kannushi some very curious ofuda and
o-mamori--the holy talismans and charms of Yaegaki--are sold, together
with pictures representing Take-haya-susa-no-wo-no-mikoto and his bride
Inada-hime surrounded by the 'manifold fence' of clouds. On the pictures
is also printed the august song whence the temple derives its name of
Yaegaki-jinja,--'Ya kumo tatsu Idzumo ya-he-gaki.' Of the o-mamori there
is quite a variety; but by far the most interesting is that labelled:
'Izumo-Yaegaki-jinja-en-musubi-on-hina' (August wedlock-producing
'hina' of the temple of Yaegaki of Izumo). This oblong, folded paper,
with Chinese characters and the temple seal upon it, is purchased
only by those in love, and is believed to assure nothing more than the
desired union. Within the paper are two of the smallest conceivable
doll-figures (hina), representing a married couple in antique
costume--the tiny wife folded to the breast of the tiny husband by one
long-sleeved arm. It is the duty of whoever purchases this mamori to
return it to the temple if he or she succeed in marrying the person
beloved. As already stated, the charm is not supposed to assure
anything more than the union: it cannot be accounted responsible for
any consequences thereof. He who desires perpetual love must purchase
another mamori labelled: 'Renri-tama-tsubaki-aikyo-goki-to-on-mamori'
(August amulet of august prayer-for-kindling-love of the jewel-precious
tsubaki-tree-of-Union). This charm should maintain at constant
temperature the warmth of affection; it contains only a leaf of the
singular double-bodied camellia tree before mentioned. There are also
small amulets for exciting love, and amulets for the expelling of
diseases, but these have no special characteristics worth dwelling upon.
Then we take our way to the sacred grove--the Okuno-in, or Mystic Shades
of Yaegaki.