[Treasure Box of Women's Learning] (16) Sewing Needles (Ikenokawa Needle Shop / Sanjo Kawaramachi Misuya)
Sewing needles originated in the Age of the Gods. It is said that the deity known as the Needle Maiden is a goddess who protects clothing. Furthermore, the elder sister of Prince Shotoku was granted a needle workshop as part of her court duties.
Therefore, because these needles were purchased from various provinces, the house on Anekoji Street became the origin, and many are made in the large workshop east of Yamashina. This is called the Ikenokawa Needle Shop.
* "Elder sister of Prince Shotoku" Reference: "Teikin Orai Shocho Taisei (Anekoji)" (National Diet Library Digital Collection)
* "These needles" refers to these sewing needles.
* "Very many" might be a misreading.
* "Ikenokawa" is a place name near Oiwake in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.
* "Ikenokawa Needle Shop" Reference: "New Lectures on Nippon Eitaigura" (National Diet Library Digital Collection)
Also, those produced by the bamboo blind shop east of Sanjo Kawaramachi are praised as superior needles, and they are sold to various provinces with "Misuya" as the shop sign. There are various types of these needles.
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