Weft insertion method and weft insertion device of rapier loom

In a weft insertion device (1) of a rapier loom, to insert a weft (2) through a guide hole (4) at a tip end part of a weft guide lever (3) and to guide the weft (2) connected to a woven fabric (6) to a catchable position of a rapier head (7), the weft guide lever can reciprocate between first and second positions (P1: retreat position, P2: guide position).. The guide hole is located at the second position at start of weft insertion so that the rapier head catches the weft. Then, before beating up, the weft guide lever is driven to move the guide hole toward the first position, thereby markedly reducing bending of the warp and sliding thereof on a reed (12) etc. because of a positional relationship between the weft guide lever and the reed and preventing the weft from being damaged because of bending and sliding.