Hari Kuyo Needle Memorial at Egara Tenjin Shrine (荏柄天神社)

What Is Hari Kuyo at Egara Tenjin Shrine?

Hari Kuyo (針供養), the needle memorial at Egara Tenjin Shrine (荏柄天神社), is held every year on February 8. It thanks the spirits of needles that have finished their work and prays for progress in sewing and other crafts. As a sign of the memorial, needles are pushed into soft tofu. The tofu is silken tofu made to order by a Kamakura tofu shop for this day. Anyone may take part.

Date and Time

It is held on February 8 every year, whatever the day of the week. The ceremony usually starts at 10:30 in the haiden (拝殿), the worship hall, and the special prayer (tokubetsu kito, 特別祈祷) is available until around 16:00.

Highlights: Colorful Needles in White Tofu

During the ceremony, people who have applied for the special prayer enter the worship hall and push their needles into the tofu inside. When the ceremony ends, a large block of tofu on a sanbo (三方), a wooden offering stand, is set in front of the offering box before the worship hall, and other visitors take turns adding their needles. Colorful marking pins stand out against the white tofu. Many people who work with needle and thread in Kamakura and nearby come to the memorial.

Around this time of year, the shrine’s plum trees are usually well into bloom, and the white Kodai Aojiku (古代青軸) plum to the left of the worship hall reaches its best. See Plum Blossoms at Egara Tenjin Shrine for the shrine’s plum trees.

How to Offer Your Needles and Offering Fees

There is no limit on the type or number of needles, but each person may push only one needle into the tofu. The remaining needles are usually placed on the oshiki (折敷), a wooden tray beside the tofu. Medical needles are usually not accepted. If you only push a needle into the tofu at the offering box, the offering fee (hatsuho-ryo, 初穂料) is whatever you wish to give. The special prayer costs 3,000 yen and includes a shrine talisman and an amulet. If you want the special prayer, you usually apply at the reception first on the day.

Access: Getting There from Toshi’s Place

From the east exit of JR Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅), take a Keikyu bus bound for Daitonomiya (大塔宮), get off at Tenjin-mae (天神前), and walk about 3 minutes. From Toshi’s Place, take the Enoden (江ノ電) from Hase Station (長谷駅) or Wadazuka Station (和田塚駅) to Kamakura Station and change to the bus.

Staying in Kamakura lets you reach the 10:30 ceremony without rushing. Toshi’s Place, an unstaffed smart hotel with a full kitchen (room only), lets you enjoy Kamakura at your own pace.

Summary

Hari Kuyo at Egara Tenjin Shrine thanks needles that have finished their work by pushing them into soft tofu, with prayers for better skills. For the shrine’s year-round highlights, see Egara Tenjin Shrine. On January 25, the shrine also holds the Hatsu-Tenjin Festival and Fude Kuyo Brush Memorial (初天神祭・筆供養), where worn-out brushes are burned.

Basic Information

Google Map