Harikuyo - Japan's Needle Memorial Festival

Did you know that there is a memorial service for worn-out needles?

The Japanese have a culture of paying attention to detail and feeling gratitude for everything. This extends to small things like needles that are used daily. Today, I would like to introduce you to a unique Japanese "Needle Memorial Service".

"Mottainai" is a word that has many meanings in Japanese. It includes sadness and gratitude for throwing away useless things. In other words, it means gratitude for worn-out things and recognizing their value. This spirit is also the main idea behind the Needle Memorial Service.

The Needle Memorial Service (Harikuyo) is a traditional event that takes place every year on December 8th in Kyoto and the Kansai region, and on February 8th in the Kanto region. This event has been going on for hundreds of years and is part of Buddhist and Shinto rituals. It is primarily a festival to show gratitude for broken or worn-out needles and to make a memorial for them. The Needle Memorial Service is also considered an important occasion for people who wish to improve their sewing skills.

The Needle Memorial Service began about 400 years ago. The festival was established as an opportunity for housewives and craftsmen to show gratitude for the needles they used during the past year and to make a memorial for broken needles. It was also a strategy to encourage people to take good care of their tools and utensils.

The Needle Memorial Service takes place at temples and shrines. Participants pierce broken or worn-out needles into tofu or konnyaku and offer them as a memorial. This symbolizes that the needles will rest peacefully in a soft place. In addition, a three-tiered altar is set up, with flowers and sweets on the top tier, tofu on the middle tier, and tools used for embroidery on the bottom tier.

Participants stick the needles they brought into tofu or konnyaku and offer a special prayer. The needles are then wrapped in paper and buried in the ground or washed away in water. This is the final farewell ritual for the needles.

The needle memorial service shows gratitude for worn-out needles and teaches us to treat tools and utensils with care. It also reflects the Japanese people's careful consideration and gratitude for things.

Through this festival, we re-recognize the value of things and learn the importance of using them with gratitude. It is a part of a wonderful culture where you can feel the careful consideration and traditions of Japan.