101007-0043 - First Shrine Visit

A newborn baby is brought to the local shinto shrine for the first time. Parents announce the baby’s birth to the local deity and pray for the baby’s well-being. For baby boys this was traditionally done 31 days after birth, while for girls it was 32 days.

There are several names for this custom: o-miyamairi (お宮参り), hatsumiya-mairi (初宮参り) and hatsumiya-mode (初宮詣で).

This card is from a series about Japanese marriage customs.