TsukuBlog
A Local Perspective on Life in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Manyoshu Poem Referring to Ancient Ceremony on the First Day of the Mouse (Hatsu Ne no Hi) sheds light on the origins of Mayudama Decorations – and the Okunitama Shrine’s Annual Plow Ceremony
13 January, 2021
This poster from an exhibition of objects preserved at the Shosoin Imperial Treasure House shows the NE NO HI NO METOGI NO HO-KI (bottom right) which was used in the 8th century by the Japanese Empress to ritually brush the silkworm racks (as a prayer for abundant silk) on the First Day of the Mouse of the New Year – and the NE NO HI NO TEKARA SUKI (top center) a ritual plow used by the Emperor (on the same day) in a ceremony carried out as a prayer for a good rice harvest. On the same Day of the Mouse, courtiers would gather pine saplings ( a symbol of long life) and other young plants (in fields marked off by sacred SHIMENAWA ROPES) to make a special soup.