In Japan, two lovers were forbidden by their respective families to marry so they fled together with both families in pursuit. Finally they came to the sea and, determined not to be parted, they went into the sea and drowned. The Gods took pity and turned each into a large stone and they are there to this day, parted by a bit of sea but still side by side.
The Japanese memorialize this love by connecting them with a rope from which flowers and bits of colored cloth are hung by others who believe in true love.
At least that's how it was told to me when I saw a picture of the sea washed stones tied to each other forever.
wow