miyamairi

("visiting the shrine"). The custom, still observed today, of taking a newborn infant to the local Shinto shrine. It is observed on the 20th, 30th, 50th, or even 100th day after birth, depending on the locality. The purpose of the visit is to have the infant recognized by the local tutelary deity as a member of the Shinto community, and the infant is often made to cry in order to ensure that the god has heard. Today the baby is usually carried by its paternal grandmother and accompanied by both parents. (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)