What is "chihaya"

A Chihaya can refer to either:

1. A cloth or cord used to tie back the sleeves of a robe, primarily used by women to get the sleeves out of the way for work ranging from important shrine ceremonies, to just humble kitchen work.
2. A kind of ceremonial overcoat with a long white hem worn by the sweeper or branch-holder in certain Shintō ceremonies.
3. A kind of sleeveless vest or waistcoat used in kabuki or 人形浄瑠璃 (ningyō jōruri; "puppet theater").

Chihaya also refers to:

• Chihaya Castle, a castle in Kawachi Province, Japan
• Chihaya Station, a railway station in Fukuoka City, Japan
• Chihaya Yard, a classification yard in Fukuoka City, Japan
• Chihaya, Fukui, a location in the Fukui Prefecture, Japan
• Siege of Chihaya, a siege that took place during the Kamakura period of Japan
• Japanese cruiser Chihaya, a cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy