Japanese parents normally do this when the baby is 1 month old, together with their (paternal) grandparents. But we thought it would be too hot in summer, so we did it in November. Rika's mum came up from Ikadaba specially, with a family baby kimono for Hanna to wear.
The ceremony was held in a a hall just to the east of the main shrine. The ceremony was really interesting. It lasted about 20 minutes. For the first 10 minutes the priests chanted prayers for each of the children in turn. This was in archaic japanese so I understood as much as Rika did!. Then they performed music with drums and flutes and 2 priestesses danced a sacred dance. Hanna cried during the chanting, but she stopped crying and watched quietly when the music and dancing started.
This is Rika and her mum with Hanna outside the hall after the ceremony.
Hanna with her gorgeous hat decorated with cranes (represents long life because they are supposed to live 1,000 years).
After the ceremony we took photos in the grounds of the shrine.
Meiji Jingu was also having a harvest festival so it was decorated with produce like cabbages and pumpkins. This is the display from the Japan Agriculture association (Tokyo branch) of a ship made from vegetables. I was particularly impressed by the sail made of leeks.
