Today is Hari Kuyo or The Festival of the Broken Needles in Japan. Once a year on February 8th, people, mainly women and in particular needleworkers and those in the textile industry gather at Buddhist temples to pay homage to their needles and pins. Alters are laid out with various gifts of thanksgiving and a container of tofu is set up so that people can bury their broken and bent needles in thanks for their service and to bring good luck to their stitching endeavours in the coming year. Traditionally women used to wear their best kimonos to this ceremony but this has taken a back seat to more contemporary dress. However, many young apprentices of needlework schools and textile houses are attempting to bring back this tradition and in fact, there is a renewed interest in general by the younger Japanese generation in the kimono and in these traditions.
To read further about Hari Kuyo and to see some beautiful color pictures of this ceremony, click on the links below:
4 comments:
What a wonderful tradition!
We celebrated it at Point Bonita last year, when the theme was Japan....wonderful that the young generation of stitchers is reviving this tradition.
Hey there Leonie, Thanks for the link! I love your title of miscellany! Sew what you love, Deb
Nice to find you Leonie! We're in Owen Sound now...but i come to London weekly to finish my Master's degree.
We like to visit Byers choice around christmas time when everything is all dolled up and ready for Santa.
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