News&Articles

Anzan Kigan: The Beautiful Japanese Tradition of Praying for a Safe Childbirth

First of all, please allow me to share some very happy personal news at the beginning of this article. We are expecting a new baby soon, and our three-year-old son, Yui, is going to be a big brother!

As our family prepares for this exciting new chapter, I would like to introduce a beautiful Japanese tradition that we recently observed ourselves: Anzan Kigan. For expats living in Japan, learning about these family-centered rituals is a wonderful opportunity to experience the more intimate and beautiful aspects of Japanese culture.

Why the "Day of the Dog"? Anzan Kigan is traditionally held on the "Day of the Dog" (Inu no Hi) during the fifth month of pregnancy. But why the dog? In Japan, dogs have long been cherished as a symbol of safe, relatively easy childbirth, and as protectors of children from misfortune. As you might know from the Hollywood movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale starring Richard Gere, dogs are deeply loved for their loyalty and devotion to family. By choosing this special day based on the traditional Japanese calendar, families pray that the mother's delivery will be safe and smooth.

The Shrine Ritual and "Iwata-obi" Wellness When visiting a Shinto shrine, a priest performs a prayer and purification ritual for the mother and the unborn baby. A key element of this tradition is a cotton belly wrap called an Iwata-obi. The mother wears this wrap after it has been blessed at the shrine. Beyond its spiritual meaning as a protective charm, the Iwata-obi is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese wellness wisdom. It physically supports the growing belly and lower back while keeping the core comfortably warm.

Celebrating Family Milestones From Anzan Kigan during pregnancy to Omiyamairi (a baby's first shrine visit) and Shichi-Go-San (celebrating a child's growth), Japan has an abundance of rich ceremonies that cherish life and family milestones. Through our Digital Book, we want to introduce not just general travel information, but these deep cultural stories and the local services that support families through every stage of life.