What is Omiya-mairi?


＜ We are pleased to announce that the baby was born safely ＞


The shrine visit is a traditional event that has been handed down since ancient times, in which the local deity is greeted to greet the baby's safe birth.
Around one month after birth, people visit shrines and temples to pray for the baby's healthy growth.

　

This is the baby's first celebration since being born.
It is said to be a time when the family gathers together again and confirms the family composition, as well as a turning point for the mother to return to her normal life after giving birth. Be sure to visit the shrine closest to your home where your child will live and grow up to report the news.

1. Origin and history　

2. Shrine visit period

3. Where will you go to pray?

4. Attire for the shrine visit

5. Who is participating?

  • 1. The origin and history of the shrine visit

    The custom of visiting a shrine for a newborn baby is said to have begun in the Heian period, and was formerly known as "Ubusunamode."
    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 the Omiya-mairi ceremony was a time when people would gather around a feast and pray to the gods so that the newborn baby would live a healthy life. is believed to be the origin of
    It was during the Muromachi period that shrine visits became common.
    The visit to the shrine that took place when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, was born, became known as "Omiya-mairi" and was established as an event where prayers were offered by the gods.

    During the Edo period, the custom of visiting the homes of relatives and acquaintances to pay their respects after the shrine visit became established and spread from samurai society to the common people.


    Even today, the custom of making "thank you visits" remains, but in order to reduce the burden on the mother and child, it has become common to change it to a dinner party or commemorative photograph taking, providing an opportunity for all relatives to meet face to face, with the photographs being delivered at a later date.　

  • 2. Shrine visit period

    　

    　

    Traditionally, it is 31-32 days after birth for boys and 32-33 days after birth for girls, but this can vary depending on the region. Nowadays, regardless of gender, people visit the shrine one month after birth. There is no strict rule that says it must be on this day, so you should decide the date to visit while taking into consideration factors such as the climate, region, and the health of the mother and baby.

    Some families visit shrines or temples to celebrate the 100th day after birth (Okuizome), which takes place between 100 and 120 days after birth.

  • 3. Where will you go to pray?

    　

    　

    At the first shrine visit for a child, called "Omiyamairi," it is common to visit the local ujigami (guardian deity) of the land where the child will grow up. The local ujigami (guardian deity), also called "Ujigami-san," is known as the deity that protects the people who are born and raised in that land.
    However, there is no rule that states that one must visit a tutelary shrine, so recently many families are choosing famous shrines or shrines that have a special connection to the family, rather than sticking to the shrine in their neighborhood.
    For example, 1. Shrines and temples where you have been praying for love or children. 2. If you are going back to your parents' home to visit the shrine, it would be smoother if you went to a shrine or temple near your parents' home with your grandparents.


    To avoid putting a strain on mother and baby, it is important to choose a place to visit that avoids long journeys, and to make reservations in advance to avoid crowds.

  • 4. Attire for the shrine visit

    The shrine visit is a traditional Japanese rite of passage, and since it takes place in a sacred place called a shrine, it was said that in the past it was standard to attend in formal attire (a haori over a kimono, a black formal kimono, etc.). In those days, formal attire for babies was a white habutae kimono topped with a noshime kimono.

    Nowadays, babies are relatively free to wear whatever they like, and while some choose to wear traditional Japanese clothing, there are also an increasing number of families who are more flexible, such as wearing a ceremonial dress or baby dress and putting on a birth kimono. Mothers often wear irotomesode or houmongi to match the baby's outfit, and many are more flexible depending on the date of the visit, the season, and their physical condition, with an increasing number of people visiting the shrine in one-piece dresses or suits. Some fathers also wear Japanese clothing, but generally most wear formal or business suits. In recent years, more and more people are visiting the shrine in various ways, such as only wearing Japanese clothing for the commemorative photo shoot, or taking the photo shoot on different days for the visit and the photo shoot.

Items that can be used at shrine visits

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  • 5. Who participates in the shrine visit?

    Originally, the Omiyamairi ceremony involved a visit to a shrine by the baby, his/her father, and his/her paternal grandmother.
    In the past, it was believed that blood was impure, and so mothers were considered to be in an unclean state after giving birth. It was customary for grandmothers to worship at the shrine while holding the baby.


    ◆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, that is, to be "wandering between this world and the other world." Because of this, it was believed that the bodies of mothers and babies after birth still retained the impurity of the other world, and they could not approach Shinto altars or temples or shrines, and were isolated from the people around them for a certain period of time. Babies also had a period of impurity, with the baby's mourning period ending after 30 days and the mother's mourning period ending after 75 days.

    Although this is a custom that is unthinkable in modern times, it was commonplace in the past, and the visit to the shrine was conducted by three people: the baby, the father, and the paternal grandmother. And it was the role of the "paternal grandmother" to hold the baby.


    Nowadays, people are free to decide when, with whom, and where to hold a shrine visit, so it doesn't matter who participates. Some people still respect the old customs, but there are also an increasing number of people who are unaware of them.
    In today's world, where nuclear families are on the rise, it is not uncommon to see families visiting the shrine with just the mother and father and the baby. It is also common for the father or grandfather to hold the baby in their arms.
    It can be very tiring for a new mother to hold the baby all the time, and the same goes for elderly grandparents. It's important for all family members to help each other out.

    When deciding who will be attending the shrine visit, the most important thing is to consult with the grandparents on both sides and make a decision. The birth of a baby is a happy event for all relatives, so it may be better to hold a dinner party afterwards for relatives and siblings.
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    The once-in-a-lifetime shrine visit is an event that takes place immediately after the birth, but many families want to "properly pray" and "celebrate."
    While there are regions where old customs are still respected, in modern times customs have changed and traditional events that are held with respect for the physical condition and wishes of family members have become mainstream.
    If you celebrate the shrine visit in a way that satisfies your family and is conscious of traditional culture, it will become an irreplaceable memory for the family and a wonderful celebration that deepens the bonds between them.