Women are not permitted to visit this sacred island in Japan

Male visitors are required to strip naked to perform cleansing ritual before setting foot on island


News Desk May 22, 2017
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Okinoshima is a remote Japanese island that is said to be a treasure trove of artifacts, but only men can see them. UNESCO is contemplating if the 0.3 square mile island should become a World Heritage site or not.

This island is home to three small sacred Shinto shrines that constitute the Munakata Grand Shrine and is located near the island of Kyushu.

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According to Shinto traditions, women aren't allowed to visit the island and male visitors are required to strip naked to perform a cleansing ritual before setting foot on the land.

They cannot take anything along when leaving and must never speak about the trip. Presently, men can only travel to the island once a year, on May 27, to remember the Japanese and Russian military personnel who died in a battle in the Sea of Japan in 1905.

Between the fourth and ninth centuries, the waters surrounding the island were an important trade route for Japan to China and the Korean Peninsula.

The shrines were used to pray for the safety of ships at sea through the Shinto Gods. The island hosts an array of swords, mirrors and beads. These artifacts may earn the island World Heritage status.

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People believe that women are banned because menstruation would defile the site while others claim that women were not allowed to travel by their husbands as they considered the journey dangerous.

If this island is named a World Heritage site then it will become the 17th set of Japanese cultural assets with this status.

This post originally appeared on The Independent.

COMMENTS (1)

Bunny Rabbit | 6 years ago | Reply Its for women's safety that they are forbidden at such places. how can a delicate woman carry the arduous task of travelling such a journey.
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