In relation to a sewing machine having a function of rotating a sewing needle in order to prevent occurrence of hitch stitches, there is provided a needle bar that obviates a necessity for an additional rotation mechanism for rotating the sewing needle.A needle bar includes: a needle bar body having a vertically-movable sleeve and a guide bush; a sleeve provided in the needle bar body and having openings, and the like, where balls are to be placed; a cam shaft that has a disc-shaped portion which is provided in the needle bar body, an upper shaft which is provided with a pair of grooves or the like having helical grooves and which is inserted in the sleeve, and a lower shaft which is formed so as to protrude downward from a guide bush; and a joint secured to the lower shaft for securing a sewing needle.