The Day a Midwife Mother and Daughter Became 'Mom' and 'Grandma' Part 2 | Obi-iwai in Tokyo
It was a word from her husband that changed my daughter, who hadn't been keen on the Obi-iwai (maternity belt ceremony). And before wrapping the maternity belt, I did something only I could do.
To Tokyo for the Obi-iwai
When my eldest daughter's pregnancy had settled down, I decided to go to Tokyo for her Obi-iwai.
From Kochi to Tokyo. A new life is growing in my daughter's womb.
Just thinking about that kept me restless on the plane.
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First, to the grave
As soon as I arrived in Tokyo, I headed to the grave of my daughter's husband's family.
My son-in-law's father passed away the year before last. Before going to the Obi-iwai,
I wanted to report that first.
I am about to go to the Obi-iwai for the child in her womb.
Please watch over my daughter and the child from heaven.
I thought that while putting my hands together. I believe he is surely watching over them.
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'Are we really doing an Obi-iwai?'
Actually, my daughter wasn't keen on the Obi-iwai at first.
'Are we really doing an Obi-iwai?' 'I don't really know how to wrap a maternity belt...'
'Does it have to be on the Day of the Dog?'
I couldn't help but think, 'And you're a midwife!' (laughs),
but perhaps the Obi-iwai isn't that familiar to young people these days.
However, before I knew it, my daughter started paying attention to the calendar.
When I asked, it seemed her husband had said something to her.
'Because it's an important day,' 'Because you're coming all the way from Kochi.'
They are preparing to become parents who will welcome a child together.
When I thought of that, my chest felt warm.
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Suitengu, first thing in the morning
It seems Suitengu is famous for safe delivery prayers in Tokyo.
Nakayama-dera in Kansai, Suitengu in Tokyo.
Since there are many visitors on the Day of the Dog and weekends, and there are limits on the number of people allowed in the shrine, we avoided the Day of the Dog and visited first thing in the morning.
Thanks to that, we were able to pray relatively slowly.
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My husband bought the maternity belt
A maternity belt with an amulet was sold on the shrine grounds.
My daughter hesitated, saying it was 'a waste.'
However, my husband quickly bought it for her.
He's not usually one to show his feelings.
Has he started to realize he's going to be a grandfather?
My daughter, her husband, and my husband all looked at the purchased maternity belt
with curiosity, staring at it intently.
As a midwife, it's something I'm used to.
But come to think of it, it might be rare for young people these days.
Even though my daughter is a midwife, she looks so curious.
That made me feel a little sad, and that's exactly why I thought I had to pass it on.
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Before wrapping the maternity belt, I, as a midwife, took out a secret weapon.
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'It's moving...'
Before wrapping the maternity belt, I decided to show them the baby with the ultrasound equipment I had brought.
My daughter's husband said it was his first time seeing it on an echo.
A small life was projected on the screen.
Wiggle, wiggle.
The tiny baby is jumping.
Even though it's still a time when my daughter can't feel fetal movement, it's moving so energetically.
'It's moving...' My husband and my daughter's husband were speechless.
By seeing it, its existence becomes much larger.
They also looked like they were tearing up a little.
Grandpa, Dad, I'm counting on you.
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I wrapped the maternity belt for my daughter
That day, I taught my daughter how to wrap the maternity belt.
I placed the bleached cotton cloth against her body and wrapped it carefully, very carefully.
With hands that have done this many times, but today, it was for my daughter's belly.
Day of the Dog. Obi-iwai. Maternity belt.
A unique Japanese custom that wishes for a safe delivery and protects the child.
It is a culture that midwives, who are not permitted to perform medical procedures, have cherished as a way to help protect the pregnant woman's body and nurture the heart that cares for the child.
As I wrapped it for my daughter, I thought: I hope I can pass this on to younger midwives too.
If I could connect this culture through the activities of 'Inu no Hito' (Dog People)...
Even if the form changes, the wish remains the same.
The safe delivery amulet from Konpira-san, the maternity belt with an amulet from Suitengu, and the Obi-iwai.
All of them are just prayers that 'I want you to be born healthy.'
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Things that change, and things that don't
On the plane home, I thought vaguely.
Newborn photos, gender reveals, half-birthdays—
New cultures are being born one after another.
But at Suitengu for the Obi-iwai, there were people putting their hands together in the same way.
Even if the form changes, a parent's prayer does not.
For some reason, that made me very happy.
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While placing my hand on my daughter's belly, I had also become just a mother.
Midwife Obi-san
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