Niju-san-ya-sama is a Japanese moon goddess. I bet you would have never guessed, huh? She is also the guardian of expectant mothers and ease in childbearing, not to mention good fortune.
There is a rite which is performed by women on the 23rd night after each new moon to honour Niju-san-ya-sama. They wrship her at the village shrine or the duty house and stay all night, showing their allegiance to her.
