Udo Shrine: Nursing Rocks (Ochichi-iwa) 鵜戸神宮：お乳岩

Official explanation

Part of the uneven wall of the cave appears to be shaped like a pair of protruding breasts. These “nursing rocks” are always moist due to the water that drips slowly from their tips, and have been worshiped since ancient times. In local lore, they have been connected to the legend of Ugayafukiaezu, the primary deity of Udo Shrine. In the myth, Ugayafukiaezu is abandoned at birth by his mother, the daughter of the god of the sea, who returns to her home beneath the waves. The “nursing rocks” were believed to have been her parting gift to her son, who was raised on the “milk” they produce and went on to become the father of Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. Believers touch the rocks and wish for safe childbirth, child-rearing, and maternal health.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.