Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima osuna ware

After it was founded in 593 AD, Itsukushima Shrine was originally dedicated to the deities of navigation and safe travel. In the Edo period, in Akinokuni, the custom known as Osunagaeshi (returning the sand) grew up whereby, when embarking on a journey, travelers took some of the sand from under the main shrine building for protection and, upon their safe return, returned it mixed with the sand of their destination. The sacred sand from the shrine fulfilled the role of protective talisman. One traveler who had safely returned from a journey made a pot incorporating the sand that had been brought back and gave it as an offering to the Shrine. This event was the first step toward Miyajima osuna yaki ceramics.