Ladles at Sangoji in Yamanashi Prefecture (photo by Alice Gordenker)
One comes across all kinds of intriguing items at Shinto shrines. The picture above provides an example. What on earth could these ‘holy’ ladles have to do with Shinto!
The answer is rather difficult to guess, but in its way it makes sense. It’s to do with giving birth (anzan kigan in Shinto parlance.) Since water passes easily through the bottom of the ladles, they are considered a kind of sympathetic magic so that babies pass easily out of their mother’s wombs.
For further information about practices to ensure safe birth, take a look at this article in today’s Japan Times.
Needed to read this two months ago. Both my girls doing fine…
Great to hear from you Ted and about your girls… You may need a bottomless ladle for your next birth!
mmm… interesting picture…