What is a safe birth prayer? When, where and with whom do you go? We explain what to bring and the process on the day.

What is a prayer for safe delivery?

Praying for an easy birth means going to a shrine or temple to pray for a healthy birth for both the mother and child. It is common to pray for an easy birth around the fifth month of pregnancy, when the pregnancy is stable.

The main part of prayers for safe birth is a prayer called obi-iwai. A prayer for safe birth is said while wearing a belly band that has been prepared in advance.

When should you go to pray for a safe delivery?

It is said that praying for safe childbirth is auspicious if it is done on "Inu no Hi," the day of the dog, which is a symbol of safe childbirth. The reason why the day of the dog is considered good is that dogs have easy childbirth. Because mother dogs give birth to many puppies one after another in a short period of time, dogs are considered a symbol of safe childbirth, and this custom remains today.

However, it is not necessary to pray for an easy delivery on the day of the dog. What is important is that you pray for an easy delivery. Make sure to prioritize the health of the pregnant woman and decide on a day to pray for an easy delivery.

Furthermore, prayers for safe delivery often include a celebratory meal with the family after the prayer, so it is a good idea to allow yourself plenty of time so you don't have to make any plans afterwards.

2024 Dog Day Schedule

2024

January 11th (Thursday) and 23rd (Tuesday)

・February 4th (Sun), 16th (Fri), 28th (Wed)

・March 11th (Monday) and 23rd (Saturday)

April 4th (Thursday), 16th (Tuesday), 28th (Sunday)

・May 10th (Friday), 22nd (Wednesday)

・June 3rd (Monday), 15th (Saturday), 27th (Thursday)

・July 9th (Tuesday) and 21st (Sunday)

・August 2nd (Friday), 14th (Wednesday), 26th (Monday)

・September 7th (Saturday) and 19th (Thursday)

・October 1st (Tuesday), 13th (Sunday), 25th (Friday)

・November 6th (Wednesday), 18th (Monday), 30th (Saturday)

December 12th (Thursday) and 24th (Tuesday)

Where can I pray for a safe birth?

Prayers for safe childbirth are generally held at shrines or temples.

Whether to pray for safe delivery at a shrine or a temple is a personal decision. It is best to take into consideration the atmosphere and accessibility, and choose the place where you would like to pray for safe delivery.

What should you bring when praying for a safe delivery?

It is a good idea to bring the following four items with you when praying for an easy delivery. Please note that the items required vary depending on the shrine or temple. If you are unsure, check in advance.

・First offering

・Abdominal belt

・Mother and Child Health Handbook

・Large carrying bag

What should you wear when praying for a safe birth?

There are no strict rules about what to wear when praying for safe childbirth. However, because it is a solemn Shinto ritual, it is best to avoid wearing flashy or overly casual clothing.

Keep in mind that the clothes should be "elegant and not too tight," and, as it is not good for pregnant women to let their bodies get cold, choose clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for the season.

Also, since most of the shrine grounds and approach paths are made of gravel, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes to avoid falling.

Who should you take with you to pray for a safe delivery?

There are no rules about who you go with to pray for safe delivery, just like there are about what to wear. In the past, the entire family, including the pregnant woman and her husband, as well as her husband's family, would attend the prayer for safe delivery, but that is now a thing of the past.

In today's world where nuclear families are becoming more common, there are increasing cases of couples praying for safe childbirth just by themselves.

What is the process for praying for safe delivery?

The general procedure for a safe birth prayer is as follows:

1. Complete the check-in process

2. Wait until the prayer

3. Receive a prayer

4. Receive your gift

The exact procedure differs depending on the shrine or temple, so if you have any concerns, be sure to check in advance.

What is the first offering for praying for a safe birth?

The average fee for a prayer for safe delivery is 5,000 to 10,000 yen. Some shrines and temples list the amount of the offering for safe delivery on their websites, so be sure to check.

When handing over the offering at the reception, there is no problem if you just hand it over as is, but it will come across as more polite if you write "Hatsuho-ryo" on the envelope and wrap it in it.

Major temples and shrines along the Nankai Line where you can pray for safe childbirth

Finally, we will introduce the main temples and shrines along the Nankai line where you can pray for safe childbirth.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Settsukuni Ichinomiya Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

558-0045 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan's representative shrines located near Osaka Bay, and is the headquarters of 2,300 shrines nationwide. With...

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of the 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines across the country, is a place of worship for safe childbirth and is famous for its safe childbirth prayers. After a Shinto priest performs a purification ritual and recites a prayer, you will be presented with a belly band, a baby charm, and a birthstone charm as hand-me-downs.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (amulet gift shop)

・TEL: 06-6672-0753

Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Access: 3 minutes on foot from Sumiyoshi-Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line

About 5 minutes walk from Sumiyoshi-Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line

A short walk from the Sumiyoshi Torii-mae tram stop on the Hankai Tramway Hankai Line

Awashima Shrine

Awashima Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Sukunahikona no Mikoto, the god of medicine. It is said to grant blessings to women in terms of recovery from illness, safe childbirth, and fertility.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00

・TEL: 073-459-0043

Address: 118 Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Kada Station on the Nankai Kada Line

Kishu Toshogu Shrine

Kishu Toshogu Shrine, famous for its gorgeous shrine buildings, is a representative shrine from the early Edo period, with seven buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties by the country, including the vermilion-lacquered tower gate, worship hall, and main hall. Prayers for safe childbirth are accepted at the shrine office or Toshogu Hall between 9:00 and 16:00.

DATA

・Business hours: 9:00-17:00

・TEL: 073-444-0808

Address: 2-1-20 Wakaura Nishi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture

Access: Take the bus from Wakayamashi Station on the Nankai Main Line to Gongen-mae stop, then walk for a short distance

When praying for a safe delivery, the health of the pregnant woman should be prioritized above all else!

This time, we explained about prayers for safe delivery. It is an old custom to perform this on the day of the dog in the fifth month of pregnancy, but please make sure to prioritize the health of the pregnant woman above all else. It would be counterproductive to force yourself to go and end up in poor health. If you are in good health and fully prepared, go and receive a prayer for safe delivery, hoping for a healthy birth for both mother and child.

Original article: https://otent-nankai.jp/category/topic/230928_anzankigan_974