Feb. 8 is known as hari kuyo (針供養), memorial service for broken needles. This custom started in Edo period (江戸時代：edo jidai 1603-1867). Needle works were very important for women. On this day they took a day off to have a memorial service for broken needles which they had used for the past year. They put those broken needles on tofu (豆腐), bean curd or konnyaku (蒟蒻), devil's tongue which are very soft to let the needles rest and brought them to rivers or shrines or temples. They thanked the needles and wished their improvement of needle works and safety.
In Kanto area (関東地方:kanto chiho) this is held on Feb. 8, but in Kansai area (関西地方:kansai chiho) it is usually held on Dec. 8.
Until the middle of Meiji period (明治時代：meiji jidai 1868-1912) this custom was held at home, but nowadays this is mainly held at Japanese and western dressmaking schools.
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