A thanks to sewing needles!

Todav, and December 8th annually, is "hari osame",  which means "putting away the needles" or "end of the needlework". It marks the day to stop working with needles for the season according to the traditional agricultural calendar, and the 8th of February was the day to resume work. 

On this day historically there was ceremonies called "hari kuyo" to give thanks to needles. Participants bring their used needles to Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples for the service to express gratitude to their needles for their service throughout the year. Needles are gently inserted into soft blocks of tofu or konnyaku as a "soft bed" for them to rest in peace after working on tough fabrics all year. It is rooted in the traditional Japanese belief that a soul or spirit can dwell within inanimate objects. 

Although there are less needle gratitude ceremonies since Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar, there are still some places that observe tradition. For example, in Kyoto, Arashiyama’s Hōrin-ji hosts Hari Kuyō annually.