Suzume no Tojimari is a fantasy movie based on the theme of Japanese earthquakes. It is a new work following director Makoto Shinkai’s “Your Name” and “Weathering with You.” In the movie, a stone called Kaname Stone appears as a key element in the story, which is said to calm Japanese earthquakes.
Did you know that Kaname Stone actually exists? It can be found in the shrine in Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures in Japan.
In ancient Japan, it was believed that giant insects existed underground, and there is a legend that an ancient god pushed them down with a giant stone on their head and tail. The stone that holds the head is enshrined at the Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, and the one that holds the tail is enshrined at the Katori Shrine in Chiba Prefecture, both of which are famous shrines.
As you can see, only a part of the stone with a diameter of about 30 centimeters can be seen, but it is said that there is a giant stone underground.
In the past, during the Edo period (about 300 years ago), a certain shogun dug for a week, but was unable to see the whole picture.
