Hatsumiyamairi

Hatsumiyamairi at the Ōkunitama shrine in Fuchū , 2008

Hatsumiyamairi ( Japanese 初 宮 参 り ) or Hatsumiyamōde ( 初 宮 詣 , both German "first shrine visit") or simply (O-) Miyamairi ( (お) 宮 参 り , "shrine visit ") means the first visit of a newborn in Shintō in a Shinto shrine .

Traditionally, a female family member (usually accompanied by another female family member, although in modern times often the parents perform this function) brings the newborn to the nearest shrine. The local Kami (often the Ujigami of the family) becomes the protective deity of the child, who at the same time becomes a parishioner of the shrine.

The Hatsumiyamairi takes place for male newborns on the 32nd day, for females on the 33rd day after birth. The ceremony is the first Shinto initiation ceremony in a person's life.

See also

• Hatsumōde (first shrine visit of a new year)

Web links

• Iwai Hiroshi:  "Hatsumiyamōde" . In: Encyclopedia of Shinto. Kokugaku-in , February 24, 2007 (English)
• Hatsumiyamairi in “Basic Terms of Shinto” at Kokugakuin University - English