A shrine visit is a traditional event that has been passed down since ancient times to greet the local deity that a child has been safely born .
We visit shrines and temples around the first month of life to pray for their healthy growth. It will also be the baby's first event after birth. It is said to be a place for the family to come together again and confirm the formation of the family, as well as a turning point for the mother to return to her daily life after giving birth.
Shrine visits are also called first shrine visits, first shrine visits, and shrine visits. The purpose is to greet the guardian deity of the place where the child was born. Please feel free to visit the shrine closest to your home where you are growing up.
Shrine visits are said to have started in the Heian period, and in ancient times were called ``Ubusunamoude.''
In the past, the survival rate of babies was lower than it is today, and it was difficult for children to grow up healthy, so shrine visits were when people prayed to the gods over a feast so that the newborn babies would live healthy lives. It is said to be the origin of
It became popular from the Muromachi period. It was around this time that the event of praying to God for the growth of a baby came to be called ``Omiyamairi.''
The shrine visit ceremony held when Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, was born became known as ``Omiyamairi,'' and was established as an event to receive prayers from the gods.
In the Edo period, the custom of visiting the homes of relatives and acquaintances to greet them after visiting a shrine became established, and was passed down from the samurai society to the common people.
Even today, the custom of giving thanks remains, but in order to reduce the burden on mothers and children, it has been changed to dinner parties and commemorative photo shoots, giving opportunities to meet relatives all together. It is common practice to have the items delivered at a later date.
In the past, the survival rate of babies was lower than it is today, and it was difficult for children to grow up healthy, so shrine visits were when people prayed to the gods over a feast so that the newborn babies would live healthy lives. It is said to be the origin of
It became popular from the Muromachi period. It was around this time that the event of praying to God for the growth of a baby came to be called ``Omiyamairi.''
The shrine visit ceremony held when Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, was born became known as ``Omiyamairi,'' and was established as an event to receive prayers from the gods.
In the Edo period, the custom of visiting the homes of relatives and acquaintances to greet them after visiting a shrine became established, and was passed down from the samurai society to the common people.
Even today, the custom of giving thanks remains, but in order to reduce the burden on mothers and children, it has been changed to dinner parties and commemorative photo shoots, giving opportunities to meet relatives all together. It is common practice to have the items delivered at a later date.
Traditionally, boys are born on the 31st to 32nd day of life, and girls on the 32nd to 33rd day of life, but this may vary depending on the region. Nowadays, regardless of gender, people visit the shrine around one month after birth. There is no strict rule that it must be on this day, so consider factors such as the climate, regional characteristics, and the physical condition of the mother and baby when deciding on the date for the visit.
Some families visit shrines and temples in conjunction with the 100-day celebration (first meal) held on the 100th to 120th day after birth.
Some families visit shrines and temples in conjunction with the 100-day celebration (first meal) held on the 100th to 120th day after birth.
Visiting a shrine is a traditional Japanese rite of passage, and since it is held at a sacred place called a shrine, in the past it was said that it was basic to attend in formal attire (kimono, haori, black tomesode, etc.). Ta. In addition, formal attire for babies at that time was to put on a celebratory dress over a shirohabutae.
Nowadays, it is relatively free for babies to wear clothes, and some people wear traditional Japanese clothing, but more and more families are choosing to be flexible, such as wearing ceremony dresses, baby dresses, and swaddling clothes. I am.
Nowadays, it is relatively free for babies to wear clothes, and some people wear traditional Japanese clothing, but more and more families are choosing to be flexible, such as wearing ceremony dresses, baby dresses, and swaddling clothes. I am.
Mothers often wear colored tomesode or visiting clothes to match the baby's clothing, or are flexible depending on the date, season, and physical condition of the visit, and some people come to the shrine in dresses or suits. is also increasing. Some fathers also dress in Japanese attire, but in general, many fathers wear formal suits or business suits.
In recent years, an increasing number of people are visiting shrines in various ways, such as wearing kimono only for a commemorative photo, or choosing to schedule a visit to the shrine and a commemorative photo on different days.
Originally, a baby, the baby's father, and the paternal grandmother would visit a shrine together.
In the past, it was believed that blood was impure, and mothers were considered impure after giving birth, so they could not participate in shrine visits, and it was customary for grandmothers to carry their babies in their arms. .
In the past, it was believed that blood was impure, and mothers were considered impure after giving birth, so they could not participate in shrine visits, and it was customary for grandmothers to carry their babies in their arms. .
◆What is the “period of impurity”? ◆
Because of the bleeding that occurs during childbirth, mothers and babies were thought to exist between life and death, or in other words, ``wandering between this world and the next.'' Therefore, after giving birth, the bodies of the mother and baby were said to still contain the impurities of the other world, so they were not allowed to approach Shinto altars or temples and shrines, and were isolated from the people around them for a certain period of time. Similarly, there was a period of impurity for babies, with the baby's death taking place on the 30th and the mother's death taking place on the 75th.
This is an unthinkable custom in modern times, but in the past, visiting a shrine was an event attended by the baby, father, and paternal grandmother. It is the paternal grandmother's role to hold the baby.
In modern times , people can freely decide when, with whom, and where to visit a shrine , so it doesn't matter who attends the shrine visit. Although there are some people who respect the traditions of the past, the number of people who do not know about them is increasing. Nowadays, when the number of nuclear families is increasing, it is not uncommon for families to visit the shrine with just their baby and their mother or father. Not only that, fathers and grandfathers often carry the baby, and it can be very tiring for mothers who have just given birth to hold the baby all the time, and the same goes for elderly grandparents. It is important that the whole family helps each other.
When deciding who will participate in the shrine visit, the most important thing is to properly consult and decide with both grandparents. The birth of a baby is a joyful event for all family members, so it may be a good idea to have a dinner party afterwards for not only the parents, but also other relatives, siblings, etc.
Because of the bleeding that occurs during childbirth, mothers and babies were thought to exist between life and death, or in other words, ``wandering between this world and the next.'' Therefore, after giving birth, the bodies of the mother and baby were said to still contain the impurities of the other world, so they were not allowed to approach Shinto altars or temples and shrines, and were isolated from the people around them for a certain period of time. Similarly, there was a period of impurity for babies, with the baby's death taking place on the 30th and the mother's death taking place on the 75th.
This is an unthinkable custom in modern times, but in the past, visiting a shrine was an event attended by the baby, father, and paternal grandmother. It is the paternal grandmother's role to hold the baby.
In modern times , people can freely decide when, with whom, and where to visit a shrine , so it doesn't matter who attends the shrine visit. Although there are some people who respect the traditions of the past, the number of people who do not know about them is increasing. Nowadays, when the number of nuclear families is increasing, it is not uncommon for families to visit the shrine with just their baby and their mother or father. Not only that, fathers and grandfathers often carry the baby, and it can be very tiring for mothers who have just given birth to hold the baby all the time, and the same goes for elderly grandparents. It is important that the whole family helps each other.
When deciding who will participate in the shrine visit, the most important thing is to properly consult and decide with both grandparents. The birth of a baby is a joyful event for all family members, so it may be a good idea to have a dinner party afterwards for not only the parents, but also other relatives, siblings, etc.
Visiting a shrine is a once-in-a-lifetime event that occurs immediately after giving birth, but many families think that they want to visit the shrine properly and celebrate.
In some regions, ancient customs are respected, but in modern times, customs have changed, and traditional events that respect the physical condition and thoughts of the family have become mainstream.
If you visit the shrine in a way that is acceptable to your family while feeling the traditional culture, it will be an irreplaceable memory for your family and a wonderful celebration that will deepen your bond.
In some regions, ancient customs are respected, but in modern times, customs have changed, and traditional events that respect the physical condition and thoughts of the family have become mainstream.
If you visit the shrine in a way that is acceptable to your family while feeling the traditional culture, it will be an irreplaceable memory for your family and a wonderful celebration that will deepen your bond.