Maiwai was the pride of Japanese fishermen. These were not something that anyone could own; they had to work very hard to earn it. Rolls of dyed fabric were given to the crews of fishing boats by the captain of the boat (or owners of the business) in the year that they had a 'great catch'. At the end of the year, the fabrics were sewn into robes by their wives for New Years day. The fishermen in their maiwai went to the shrine to pray together thanking for their safety and good catch in the past year, and wished for the same in the new year. The ritual was usually followed by 'sake and dine' feasts that lasted for days at their boss' home. On average, each fisherman owned several Maiwai in their life. Maiwai are very eye catching with auspicious motifs dyed in bright colors wishing for a great catch in the indigo blue background. Seeing many fishermen in their maiwai strolling around town must have been quite a sight during the New Year season. It must have raised the spirits of people in fishing towns.