gruel stick; wand used in New Year gruel ritual
A stick used when preparing rice gruel for the 15th day of the first lunar month; traditionally believed to cure sterility in women when used to stir the pot or strike the loins. This is a historical folk custom, not a modern everyday object.
The kayuzue is said to have been used to stir the rice gruel during the Little New Year festival.
In the past, it was believed that striking a woman's loins with a kayuzue would bring fertility.
Compound of 粥 (kayu, 'rice gruel') and 杖 (tsue, 'stick, cane'), with rendaku voicing of つえ to づえ. The exact historical origin of the fertility belief is uncertain.