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In Japan, there is a commonly held sense that all things contain energy or a spirit ("kami" 神).  The roots of this animistic way of believing are very ancient and have become the foundation of the Shinto (神道) religion.  In addition to humans and animals, some inanimate objects are believed to have souls -- for example, mountains, rivers, old trees, strange or uniquely formed rocks, and even household items which have existed or been used for a really long time.  Each year, in early-February or mid-March, some Shinto Shrines will hold requiem services for worn out or broken sewing needles, called: "Hari Kuyo" (針供養).  Japanese women used to sew their kimonos by themselves by hand.  Nowadays, almost all clothes-making is done by machines, but many kimonos are still hand-sewn with needle and thread.  This means that needles are very important sewing tools.  Therefore, some Japanese people perform memorial rites for the spirits of the needles that have broken or have worn out from long use.  In Yokosuka, a traditional Hari Kuyo service will be held at Hashirimizu Shrine on 14 March from 11:00 AM~12:00 PM.  Within the grounds of the Shrine there is a "Needle Monument" (針の碑) which was built in 1983 and serves as a focal point for the event.  An altar, decorations, and gifts are set-up in front of the monument, and participants offer their old needles by inserting them into a large block of tofu contained in a tray.  The belief is that the old needles can enjoy a soft place after all their years of hard work.  There is also a Japanese belief about old dolls, which must never be simply thrown out in the household trash -- but that is a subject for a future article.  Written by Goodfield

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RELATED LINKS:

https://www.iwafu.com/en/events/1053632

https://www.guidoor.jp/yokosuka/new-and-now/the-42nd-harikuyo-japan-needle-memorial-service/

https://deepyokosuka.blogspot.com/2018/05/hashirimizu-port.html