My nephew, Barry invited us to a Miyamairi for their infant son at Kotohira Jinsha Shinto Shrine on Saturday. He also said they would totally understand if we opted not to go because of the coronavirus. They are aware how careful we are trying to be since mom is 90 years old.
We thought hard about it and decided to go since mom hasn't been out of the house much at all since March.
She also loves talking to Barry's wife who is from Japan.
We were assured that there would not be more than 10 people there and everyone would be wearing masks.
So we decided to chance it.
Art and I are very paranoid, but we were relieved to see that the shrine was set up for social distancing. Chairs were spaced in groupings about 6 feet apart. There were also large doors which provided lots of air circulation.
It is pretty much tradition to take a photo to commemorate the event. There was no way for us to social distance, but the photos were taken quickly.
We're glad we went to witness this happy event, and also glad that we took as much precaution as possible.
Our coronavirus numbers are rising in Hawaii also and they're talking about letting tourists and travelers back in so long as they provide proof with a test taken 3 days before boarding the plane that they don't have the virus.
Are we nervous?
Yup.
"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), 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 his or her health and happiness. The practice is similar to a Christian infant baptism."
We thought hard about it and decided to go since mom hasn't been out of the house much at all since March.
She also loves talking to Barry's wife who is from Japan.
We were assured that there would not be more than 10 people there and everyone would be wearing masks.
So we decided to chance it.
It is pretty much tradition to take a photo to commemorate the event. There was no way for us to social distance, but the photos were taken quickly.
We're glad we went to witness this happy event, and also glad that we took as much precaution as possible.
Our coronavirus numbers are rising in Hawaii also and they're talking about letting tourists and travelers back in so long as they provide proof with a test taken 3 days before boarding the plane that they don't have the virus.
Are we nervous?
Yup.
What a beautiful family gathering for such a happy reason! Glad you went and everyone was as safe as possible. Interesting how the number of days after birth is determined for the ceremony...
ReplyDeleteLinda in Kansas
The photos will be a memory of Covid times.
ReplyDeleteNice to get out, but with all precautions. We can't live like hermits because that means even if we don't get the virus it has won by disrupting our lives totally. Is this your brother's son?
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely reason to go out, but the idea of being out and about certainly has become concerning and even scary. Good to take it slow.
ReplyDeleteNice you could be there. It’s hard to enjoy yourself, though, and forget about the risk.
ReplyDeleteHard choices these days, glad you could go though. I don't think it's a good idea for tourists to be welcomed. I live in a rural Washington "wine" town and don't feel welcoming to visitors either. The 2 counties in phase 1 next to ours starting visiting when we went to phase 2, and our salons and cafes opened up. Our infection rate shot up immediately. Guests with unwelcome gifts sadly.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you were able to enjoy the ceremonies and still stay safe. I heard about the pretesting for coming in to Hawaii. Hope it keeps you safe. I think I would feel safe on a plane if they followed those rules also.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteI think you must wear masks indoors and certainly outdoors when near a group of people. It was probably a reasonable risk for your dear mother.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you went. Some things are important. We are trying to be careful but not paranoid. What I am reading and hearing tells me that mask wearing, distancing, and open air really make the difference. Even our huge protest crowds are not coming down with COVID since they were outside and most were wearing masks. With my surgery now two weeks away I have to be careful, but we are anyway. I will basically be on lock down the final seven days. No partying in bars for us. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you went and took your mom. I had to cancel a dinner at our house because of COVID. I wonder when we will get back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI like tourists but am not looking forward to opening up to a flood of tourists again. I haven't been to Waikiki yet but plan to go and walk the uncrowded beaches with my 100 year old artist friend who is spry, sharp, and in excellent health except for being hard of hearing. We need to go before the tourists take over Waikiki. We will wear our masks and bask in the open air. She has so many stories to tell of her days in Hawaii - she fascinates me.
So many hard choices. Things we took for granted, we can never take for granted again.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. We will have to make many choices in the time to come, but we must act as safely as possible.
ReplyDeleteIt is a scary time for all of us. i was able to attend my grand daughter's wedding in the temple but only 10 of us were allowed in the temple and we all wore masks...
ReplyDeleteThey have begun to close things down here again as of yesterday. Bars that don't serve food....closed. That's going to be a shock to the young folks that socialize only in bars. Both
ReplyDeleteG and I have doctor's appointments, and I am not looking forwrad to this.
How nice you all went. Family is bigger than Covid.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like everyone took every possible precaution. I hope nobody gets sick. Looks like it was worth it to have been together like that. Even with masks, I can recognize you and your family.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is my daughter's 63rd birthday. I intend to go to that and wear my mask. When I go out of my apartment, I wear a mask. I will take my brother-in-law to breakfast tomorrow morning, go to the beauty shop and afterward and go to Bunco at the senior center tomorrow afternoon. Janet takes our temperature when we go in the senior center and we wear face masks.
ReplyDeleteI always learn something when I visit you!
ReplyDeleteEvery local person I know IS nervous! I was SO looking forward to visiting Shinto shrines upon returning home, something I have reverently enjoyed for decades in Hawaii. No Chinowa (Sp?) ring to walk through this year! No Summer Bon dances as the Buddhist temples either I think (you'll let me know if you hear different so I can go at a distance and hear the flutes! Hang in there, Kay. Living each day as a good person is HUGE right now. And everyone, EVERYONE must vote!
ReplyDeleteYou made some great memories.
ReplyDeleteWe had thought about vacationing in Hawaii this summer, but as of this date those plans are on hold.
When you look back … you are going to be pleased that you went.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the photographs.
All the best Jan