Miyamairi

Miyamairi (宮参り, literally "shrine visit") is a traditional Shinto rite of passage in Japan for newborns.

Approximately one month after birth (31 days for boys and 33 days for girls[1]), parents and grandparents bring the child to a Shinto shrine, to express gratitude to the deities for the birth of a baby and have a shrine priest pray for their health and happiness.

In famous and busy shrines, the ceremony is held every hour, often during weekends.

A Shinto priest wearing a costume and headgear appears between the group and the altar, reciting a prayer and swinging a tamagushi right and left.

At the end of the ceremony, sake in a red wooden cup is given to each person in attendance; small gifts are often given to the family.