Hari Kuyou
Sharp end first.
Why are Constance and Patience sticking blunt needles and bent pins into a block of tofu?
A Job Well Done.
Coming from a household which is deeply involved with textiles and needlework, we think it appropriate to acknowledge Hari Kuyou this year.
.
.
Careful placement.
The needles and pins have served us well this year, stitching a kimono, a velvet pelisse, many clothes and quilts for Hittys and humans…it is time for them to retire. After being forced through stiff fabrics for so long, they now get to rest, and are pushed into the soft tofu with grateful prayers.
.
.
Dedication
In their best kimono, Constance and Patience bring their offering of restful needles to the only Shinto Shrine they know of in Victoria, located at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
.
.
Sushi
Sushi for dinner…
.
To see the girls’ Kimonos in detail, click here.
.
.
Quimper Hittys 
Such thoughtful Hittys! I never thought of a kind departure for my pins/needles. I do save the fabric/thread scraps and donate them. They are used as stuffing for dog beds.
I love the idea of this celebration and as I earn my living with a needle, I thought it very appropriate to acknowledge it.
Wonderful post and so much involved in wearing the kimono properly.
I learned a lot about Kimonos from my Japanese friend, I am very grateful for her advice and suggestions, and so are Constance and my Hitty Patience.
Just reading about the respect paid to pins/needles…..makes me just want to respect some things I have that have been useful and are now no longer able to do the job.
I need to put to rest some knives and cooking utensils and get some new ones. I will really miss them. 😦
I believe there is a Japanese ceremony to retire old writing and painting utensils, I don’t know about kitchen utensils…
It looks like Constance and Patience are very pleased for an excuse to wear their kimonos! How nice to have such good helpers for the ceremony – I expect they are very grateful for sewing implements that make them so many nice clothes.
They enjoyed the visit to the Shinto shrine too.
Oh my, look at those tiny little sushi servings! How delightful!! I had never heard of this tradition before so I found this really interesting.
The Quimper Hittys approve of textile-related holidays.
What a nice way to retire old pins and needles. So thoughtful of the girls to visit the Shinto shrine. I am sure Constance takes the lead in all these wonderful decisions.
Constance enjoys learning about other traditions, and found this one meaningful.
Wonderful! What an expression of thanks.
The ceremony appealed to me and we loved having a reason to visit the Shinto Shrine.
I love this! Thank you so much for introducing us to it- now I want to learn more about it!
Thank you! we love the idea of this celebration, to retire well used textile tools with gratitude.