Hari Kuyo - Memorial Service for broken and bent needles

How are tofu and sewing needles connected?  For me, this was in the "you don't know what you don't know" category until this past year.  

Every February 8th, this Buddhist temple in Asakusa holds a ceremony to say farewell and thanks, for the small needles and pins that have served us well, and been broken or bent during their service.  The needles are laid to rest in blocks of soft tofu.  It's the ultimate sign of respect for these hard working little tools! 

My fellow quilter and good friend Julie W. and I went together.  Julie drove us, which is such a treat for me, a non driver in Tokyo.  We each had our little containers of broken or bent needles from the past year.  

The ceremony was held in a small temple within the Sensoji temple complex in Asakusa.   There was a group of monks inside the temple, chanting.  It was mesmerizing.   There was a smattering of people standing in the courtyard, quietly listening.  Some of the women were dressed in kimono.  

We watched how as people arrived, they dropped a few coins in the offering box before inserting their needles into the soft tofu.  

Here I am inserting my many bent, broken, or just used up needles (hand quilting, applique, sashiko, machine needles).   Note to self for next time:  maybe bring just a few needles;).   

 

I thought it was so sweet to see bits of string still attached to a few of the needles.  

Although this ceremony takes place in a Buddhist temple,  this really feels like a Shinto-inspired practice.  Let's thank our every day tools for the good jobs they do, and lay them to rest respectfully at the end of their useful lives.  

Fellow blogger Lizzie of Gone to the Beach  wondered what happens to these needles after the ceremony, hoping they wouldn't end up in a landfill or harming wildlife.  She wrote:  I spent some time looking into my question and it seems that traditionally the needles are collected after the ceremony and wrapped in paper, either buried  in the earth or dropped into the sea. How beautiful! I found a modern person who puts her blessed needle into the metal recycling.  Good to know, I feel the scavenger animals are safe and the beauty of this day is not lessened. It did seem to me something so thoughtful must have a thoughtful ending.

The procession after the ceremony: 

 Gorgeous plum blossoms -  an early sign of spring: 

A quick selfie: 

While we were admiring the plum tree after the service,  a sweet lady approached us.  At age 82, she studies English every day and showed us her copy of  President Biden's inaugural address.  Well, that endeared her to me right away for sure.   She showed us what she sews.  She looks for broken umbrellas discarded on the street after storms, and she uses the sturdy material to sew various small, practical items like this pouch, for herself and her friends.  The essence of mottainai - don't let anything go to waste. 

Julie and I took the long way back to the car.  Normally these shopping streets would be packed with tourists. 

We got a little lost and I was ZERO help.  Directionally challenged! 

All in all such a memorable morning, and I am so out of the habit of outings, that I took a long nap in the afternoon!  It had been so long since I've gone on a typical "Tokyo ladies" outing.  As subdued as it was, it was really an exciting event to share with a friend.  

x gratefully, 

Cynthia