Ota Dokan and Edo

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Ota Dokan Memorial Day

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early Autumn
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

DOOKAN, Ota Dokan, Oota Dookan 太田道灌

(1432-1486)
Died 文明18年7月26日（1486年8月25日 August 25）



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observance kigo for early autumn

Dookan Ki 道灌忌 (どうかんき) Dokan Memorial Day





The famous monomizuka is at the temple Hongyo-Ji 本行寺, see haiku below.
Dookan monomizuka 道灌物見塚.

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Ōta Dōkan 太田 道灌
1432 - August 25, 1486
also known as Ōta Sukenaga (太田 資長) or Ōta Dōkan Sukenaga, was a Japanese samurai warrior-poet, military tactician and Buddhist monk. Ōta Sukenaga took the tonsure as a Buddhist priest in 1478, and he also adopted the Buddhist name, Dōkan, by which is known today.

Dōkan is best known as the architect and builder of Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace) in 1457, in what is today modern Tokyo; and he is considered the founder of the castle town which grew up around that Ōnin era fortress.

Dōkan met an untimely end at Uesugi Sadamasa's home in Sagami (modern-day Kanagawa) after he was falsely accused of disloyalty during a period when the Uesugi family struggled through an internal clan conflict. His death poem is as follows:

Kakaru toki
sakoso inochi no
oshikarame
kanete nakimi to
omoishirazuba

Had I not known
that I was dead
already
I would have mourned
the loss of my life.
[Tr. Yoel Hoffmann]

Following his death, the castle was then abandoned until it was taken over by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1590.

Dōkan's residence in Kamakura became Eisho-ji, a Buddhist temple.

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Dokan Festival in Isehara, Kanagawa
伊勢原道灌祭り Dookan Matsuri
Second Weekend in October

Visiting Dokan Ohta
This tour course combines several tourist sites in Tokyo and two other prefectures, in relation to the historical figure, Dokan Ohta. Experiencing the local culture through food, festivals, and other facets is a shortcut to the rediscovery of these areas!
source : www.funade.jp

The remains of his old residence can be visited at
Mount Dokan, Dokanyama 道灌山, a favorite spot for visitors even in the Edo period.
See woodblock prints below.



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Things found on the way



'Yamabuki-no-Mino"

The warrior Ota Dokan Sukenaga (1432-1486) was caught in a rain storm and sought refuge at a rundown mill. The owner's daughter, instead of bringing him a rain coat, brought a fan decorated with yellow mountain rose flowers yamabuki, making reference to the stylized five petal flower design on his family crest mon, seen on his left sleeve.
. Ota Dokan and the Flower Maiden 　

- quote
Yamabuki no Sato 山吹の里 Yamabuki village

There have from times past been a number of theories about the location of Yamabuki village, which is famous for its legend about Ōta Dōkan.
Building upon these theories, the "Guide to Famous Edo Sites" says that according to oral legends,
Yamabuki village was deemed to have been situated
in the north of 高田馬場 Takatanobaba.
. source - Tokyo Metropolitan Library.

- quote
Ōta Dōkan 太田持資 (Mochisuke 1432-1486)

He was a general from the Muromachi period and a chief retainer of
the 扇谷 Ogigayatsu 上杉氏 Uesugi family.
From 1456 to 1457, he engaged in the construction of Edo Castle.
This painting shows Dōkan enjoying poetry in 静勝軒 Seishōken built as his residence in Edo Castle.
The western part of the Seishōken was called the 含雪 "Gansetsu" and
the eastern part was called the 泊船 "Hakusen."
. source - Tokyo Metropolitan Library.


by Ogata Gekkō (1859-1920) Ogata Gekko

- source : facebook

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. Edo Castel, Edo joo 江戸城
The History of Edo Castle　

. Edo, The City That Became Tokyo 　

. 100 Favorite Dishes of Edo 江戸料理百選


. Tokyo - Local Dishes

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HAIKU



陽炎や道潅どのの物見塚
kageroo ya Dookan dono no monomizuka

heat shimmers -
the look-out hill
of Ota Dokan

Kobayashi Issa

In the year 1811 Issa went to visit the temple Hongyo-Ji 本行寺 (Hongyooji) in Arakawa ward, Tokyo (Edo at the time) on Januray 29th. Now there is only a stone memorial where Dokan built his first look-out for enemies.

. . . . .

In this haiku, Issa pays tribute to Ota Dokan - the Monomizuka must still have existed when he came here. But all the same, a sandhill is not much as the sole remembrance of the founder of Edo and in the summer heat Issa only sees a column of shimmering, hot air.
Ad G. Blankestijn, Japan.


. Heat Shimmers and Haiku

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- quote -
Listening to the Insects at Dōkan-yama
Dōkan-yama (around the present day 4-chome Nishinippori, Arakawa Ward) was in the Edo period a popular place for insect savants who liked to hear the noise insects make ('mushi-kiki') and attracted many more people as a cool evening spot.
Dōkan-yama was not the only place popular for mushi-kiki; there was also Sumida River's east bank as well as Ōji and Asukayama.
The type of chirping insects would vary depending on the location and so people seem to have differenciated these places according to their mood, for example, when they wished to hear crickets they would go to Asukayama and would go to Dōkan-yama when they fancied hearing the sound of pine crickets. Such was peoples' interest at the time in the sound of insects and as there were also people who wanted to keep insects as pets in their homes, there were insect sellers who walked the streets carrying their wares in bamboo caskets.
During the Edo period, the Dōkan-yama is said to have offered views such as mountain ranges of Tsukuba and Nikko and Shimosa-no-kuni kōnodai.
Aside from this illustration, there are many more remaining works depicting 'mushi-kiki' in Dōkan-yama.
- source : Tokyo Metropolitan Museum -


Dokanyama, Utagawa Hiroshige

稲の花道灌山の日和かな
ine no hana Dookanyama no biyori kana

rice blossoming -
a fine day to visit
Mount Dokan

. Masaoka Shiki 正岡子規
age 28



Dokanyama and fireflies, Hiroshige


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Related words

***** . Memorial Days in Autumn 　

. Welcome to Edo　江戸 ! .

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- ##otadokan #dokan #dokanyama -
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Flood Prevention Parade

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Flood Prevention Parade
(suiboogumi dezomeshiki)

***** Location: Tokyo, Japan
***** Season: Late Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

suiboogumi dezomeshiki 水防組出初式 (すいぼうぐみでぞめしき)
First parade of the flood prevention brigade
..... suiboo dezomeshiki 水防出初式（すいぼうでぞめしき）

On July 6.
At Nihonbashi, Hamacho, along the Sumida River.

Three members form a group, place one log in the water, get on it with their geta sandals on and start moving and rotating the log to show their prowess (kakunori 角乗).




Others climb on long ladders or move the logs with long poles.

This event started in the Meiji period, when five groups were formed to help prevent damage from flooding in the town.

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This is an equivalent to the first parade of the fire brigade in January.

. First Fire Brigade Parade (dezome shiki) 　




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Worldwide use



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Things found on the way



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HAIKU



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Related words

***** . Flood, flooding (koozui) 　


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Derby and Car Race

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Derby (daabii) and car races

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

daabii ダービー Derby
Tookyoo Yuushun Kyoosoo
東京優駿競走（とうきょうゆうしゅんきょうそう）
Horse race in TokyoTokyo Yushun
Nihon daabii
日本ダービー（にほんだーびー） Japan Derby


Last weekend in May
(It used to be on the 29th of April, the birthday of Emperor Hirohito.)





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quote
The inaugural Japanese Derby was held in 1932 at Tokyo's Meguro Racecourse before being moved to Fuchu two years later, where the race has stayed since. The distance has not changed since the first running, and 2004 champion King Kamehameha owns the race record at 2 minutes, 23.3 seconds.

The race starts from Tokyo's home stretch for a straight run of 400 meters, before leading into the first lefthanded bend. A turn of 550 meters invites the backstretch ahead of the last two turns. The first 225 meters on the final straight of 525 meters slopes upward.

The 77th Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is shaping up to be one of the best ever in the race's history with a superb cast set to fill the 18 gates on May 30, 2010 at Tokyo Racecourse.
source : japanracing.jp


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kigo for early summer

kurabeuma, kurabe uma 競べ馬 (くらべうま)
horse race
Kamo keiba 賀茂競馬（かもけいば）race at Kamo shrine
kisoi uma きそい馬（きそいうま）
koi uma きおい馬（きおいうま）
muda hashiri 空走り（むだはしり）"free run"
kachiuma 勝馬（かちうま）winning horse
makeuma 負馬（まけうま）loosing horse
hashiri uma 走り馬（はしりうま）running horse
ashizoroe 足揃（あしぞろえ） "getting the legs together"



A special horse race in the compounds of Kami Kamo Shrine in Kyoto.
上賀茂神社
The "getting the legs together" was held on the first of the fifth lunar month. The racers were divided into two groups, left and right, with two horses racing at the same time.
In the first round, the horse from the left group had to win, this was the "free run".
The jockey on the left horse wore red hakama trousers, the one on the right side black. They wore special hats and had iris flowers around their hips.
They have to run six rounds to find a winner. If the left side wins, there will be a good harvest in this year.

The tradition dates back to the middle of the Heian period, around 1093.


quote
Horse racing events. Also called kioiuma, komakurabe or keiba.
From ancient times such events were held at the court, but during the Heian period (794-1191) they came to be performed by military officers as displays of martial skill and they also took on the character of events to dispel early summer pestilence during this period.

These events came to be performed as part of the annual observances of the fifth day of the fifth month (Boy's Festival). An equestrian archery contest (umayumi, mayumi, kishin) was held on the on the fifth day and was followed on the sixth by horse races (also archery and other equestrian events). Members of the imperial guard would be divided into two sides (left and right) and compete in a series of races. It was at this time that costumes and equestrian methods were fixed.

The Engishiki records the offering of horse running at several shrines, including the Upper and Lower Kamo Shrines, Ōmiwa Shrine, Kasuga Shrine, and Ōharano Shrine. In particular, the races on the fifth day of the fifth month at Kamowake Ikazuchi Shrine were a popular event in the capital area and drew large crowds. Races were held at various regional shrines as well.

The tenth volume of the Kokon Chomonjū includes the following reference to a shrine race: "On the shrine grounds the horse races are held first. In the case of the court ceremony, the event begins with the white horses." This is probably a reference to the races at the Kamo Shrine. In any case, it can be said to indicate how horse races were incorporated into Shinto ceremonies. There are also horse races in which the horses run riderless.
source : Yonei Teruyoshi




賀茂競馬図屏風
Folding Screen with the Kamo Shrine Race
From the 17th century, Cleaveland Museum
source :　plaza.harmonix.ne.jp


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Worldwide use



Australia

. Melbourne Cup .


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Kenya

Maralal International Camel Derby


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USA

Pinewood Derby, USA
Car racing event for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America.


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Yemen

. Camel racing (Al-Hagen)


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU


ダービーの朝から混めるシャトルバス
daabii no asa kara komeru shatorubasu

from early morning
of the derby day
the shuttle bus is crowded

source : Minato Keishi 湊圭史



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derby rocks the house!
dolls with tattoos and fishnets
knock u off ur feet

http://derbyhaiku.blogspot.com/


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Related words

. Horse, Pony (uma 馬, ポニー)

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***** Car Race - Formula 1
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix (20-22 April 2012) Circuit of Bahrain


Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The "formula", designated in the name, refers to a set of rules with which all participants' cars must comply.
The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix (in English, Grand Prizes), held on purpose-built circuits and public roads. The results of each race are combined with a points system to determine two annual World Championships, one for the drivers and one for the constructors. The racing drivers, constructor teams, track officials, organizers, and circuits are required to be holders of valid Super Licences, the highest class of racing licence issued by the FIA.


A modern Formula One car
is a single-seat, open cockpit, open-wheel racing car with substantial front and rear wings, and an engine positioned behind the driver. The regulations governing the cars are unique to the championship. The Formula One regulations specify that cars must be constructed by the racing teams themselves, though the design and manufacture can be outsourced.

The number of Grands Prix held in a season has varied over the years.
- Reference Wikipedia -


Bahrain Formula One ---
a rich man sport
in a land of injustice

- Shared by Fred Masarani -
Joys of Japan, 2012


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Takao San Festivals

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. Tengupedia - 天狗ペディア　- Tengu ABC-List.
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Takao San Festivals
and Izuna Daigongen 飯縄大権現

***** Location: Mount Takao, near Tokyo
***** Season: See below
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation



quote
Mt. Takao-san 高尾山, located west of Tokyo and at the eastern edge of the Kanto Mountains, is a sacred mountain that represents the Tama area. The area is designated as Meiji-no-mori Takao Quasi-National Park. Emperor Shomu ordered Yakuo-in Temple to be built halfway up this mountain in 744, and people have worshiped at the temple for more than 1,200 years.

At the mountain is a statue of a 'tengu,' a long-nosed mythical figure. Tengu is believed to be a deified image of a man who mastered the rigorous ascetic disciplinary customs associated with an ancient Japanese practice of mountain worship to acquire magical and spiritual powers. This statue is now a symbol of Mt. Takao-san. Between April and October, you may at times see ascetic devotees participating in a religious practice that includes standing beneath the cascading waters of the Biwa-daki or Hebi-daki Falls.
source : www.jnto.go.jp

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Temple Yakuo-In 薬王院 (Yakuoo in)

quote
The Buddhist temple on Mount Takao is formally known as Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuki-ji, and most commonly as Yakuo-in. It was established in 744 on the orders of Emperor Shomu as a base for Buddhism in eastern Japan and its founder was Gyoki, a charismatic priest closely associated with the erection of the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple in Nara.

Yakuo-in was restored late in the 14th century by Shungen Daitoku 俊源大徳, a priest from Mount Daigo in Kyoto, one of the most sacred sites of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, with close connections also to Shugendo (mountain asceticism). He performed a very demanding goma fire ritual dedicated to the deity Fudo Myo-o (Immovable King), burning 8,000 goma sticks, and he subsequently received a living vision of the deity Izuna Daigongen and enshrined this deity as the principal image. Shungen Daitoku is as a result often described as the second founder. Through his efforts, Yakuo-in became connected to the Shingon esoteric Buddhism and Mount Takao flourished as a Shugendo center.

During the civil war period that lasted from the late 15th to the late 16th century, a number of powerful warrior lords, such as Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, looked to Izuna Daigongen as a protector deity. The Hojo family, who held the Kanto region under their sway, were particularly strong devotees and they placed Mount Takao under their special protection.

It was no accident either that the mountain occupied an important strategic position. During the Edo period (1603–1867), Yakuo-in expanded under the patronage of the ruling Tokugawa family. Today Yakuo-in is one of the three head temples of the Shingon-shu Chisan-ha Sect, the others being Narita-san Shinsho-ji and Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji.

Iizuna Daigongen 飯縄大権現 Izuna Daigongen




Shungen Daitoku enshrined Izuna Daigongen at Yakuo-in as the principal image. Izuna Daigongen is a form in which Fudo Myo-o appears to bring people to salvation. The angry-faced Fudo Myo-o is in turn an avatar of the Dainichi Nyorai (Buddha of Cosmic Life). The Izuna cult had begun at Mount Izuna in present-day Nagano Prefecture in the Heian period (794–1185), and eventually it spread to shrines throughout the land.

Izuna Daigongen combines the elements of five deities: Fudo Myo-o, Karuraten (Garuda, a divine bird), Dakiniten (a demon that feeds on human hearts), Kangiten (a fertility deity with the head of an elephant) and Benzaiten (the deity of water, music and victory in battle). Izuna Daigongen protects devotees from harm and brings them happiness and security in their daily lives.

Read also about the Tengu of Mt. Takao:
source : www.takaosan.or.jp

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Priest 俊源大徳 Shugen Daitoku


Izuna Gongen appears to priest Shungen Daitoku


source :　www.zoeji.com - 俊源大徳



source :　www.butudanfujisawa.jp

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scroll with Izuna


shuin　朱印 temple stamp


. Fudo statues and Gongen Manifestations - Akiba Gongen


飯縄不動尊 Izuna Fudo Son
The Izuna Daigongen at Mount Takao used to be called this way.
. Tengu and Fudo Myo-o　天狗と不動明王 .





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kigo for mid-spring

Takao-san no Hiwatari Matsuri
高尾山の火渡り祭 (たかおさんひわたりまつり)
Walking through hot embers at Mt. Takao
fire-walking ritual




On the second Sunday of March
each year a large open-air fire ritual called Saito Goma-ku is held in the open area in front of the Kito-den Hall at the foot of Mount Takao. As though it were by the hands of Izuna Daigongen, worshippers rub their bodies with sticks called nadegi, which are later thrown into the flames.



When the fire dies down, yamabushi and participants walk barefoot over the hot coals, praying for protection against sickness and calamity and for safety within the family. The flames are considered to purify people by burning all defilements away.
source : www.takaosan.or.jp





I visited this ritual when I still lived in Kamakura. It was one of the most powerful events I ever participated. Our hair was standing on end because of the electricity caused by the huge flames.
And to watch all these brave people, after the yamabushi, stepping in a heap of salt before stepping on the hot embers ... running as fast as they could through the dying flames ...


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kigo for mid-spring
(sometimes listed for late spring)


. Takao-san onnna moode 高雄山女詣, 高尾山女詣　（神護寺）
Ladies visiting Jingo-Ji, Takao-san 　

Kooboo Memorial Day, Koobooki (Kobo-ki)　弘法忌
Kuukai Memorial Day, Kuukaiki (Kukai-ki) 空海忌

March 21


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Other rituals at Mt. Takao and temple Yakuo-In
Goma fire ritual at the New Year

Setsubun, February 3


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Tengu waffles, filled with green tea cream
天狗焼き Tengu Yaki

Sold only in the summer season

. WASHOKU
Waffles filled with cream - dorayaki 　

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Takaosan Tengu Curry 高尾山　天狗 カレー







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Things found on the way

. Tengu and Daruma 天狗とだるま

. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .



Takaosan 高尾山 Legends about Mount Takao-San and its Tengu 天狗

The Tengu from Mount Takaosan is a sub-family member from 天狗飯縄三郎 Tengu Iizuna Saburo from 飯縄山 Mount Iizuna in Nagano.
He rides a 白狐 white fox like 茶吉尼天 Dakini Ten and holds a 宝剣 sword in the right hand, a kensaku 羂索 rope in the left, like Fudo Myo-O.
When the villagers wanted to make a road to the mountain top, there were the large roots of a huge cedar tree, but the Tengu removed the tree over night and the road was clear.


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HAIKU

火渡祭高尾の春のはじまれり
hiwatari sai Takao no haru no hajimareri

fire-walking ritual -
spring at Mount Takao
starts from here

Shimasaki Shufu (Shuufuu) 島崎秀風



Hiwatari rituals are also performed at other temples in Japan.


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Related words

. 関東三十六不動霊場 - Nr. 08
Pilgrimage to 36 Fudo Temples in Kanto (Bando) .


***** . Fire Festivals


***** . Shugendo 修験道 Yamabushi Mountain Ascets 　

***** . 高雄内供奉 - Takao Naigubu - a Tengu from Nara .
柿本僧正 Kakinomoto Sojo

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. Hachiooji 八王子 Hachioji district
and 高尾山 Mount Takaosan .

. Tengupedia - 天狗ペディア　- Tengu ABC-List.

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- #takaosan #takaotengu #tengutakao-
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Tori no Ichi Market

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Market on the Day of the Rooster (tori no ichi)
Rooster Market
toshi no ichi 歳の市 / 年の市 year-end market

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early Winter
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation


CLICK for many colorful photos !

quote
Tori no Ichi Fair 酉の市 (open-air market)
is a famous annual event in November on the day of the Tori (Rooster) in Chinese calendar and this event has continued to today since the Edo period.
Tori no Ichi is held at the Temple of Tori (Juzaisan Chokoku-ji) in Asakusa, Tokyo and various shrines of the Washi (Eagle) and many people come to pray for health, good fortune and good business.

The day of the Tori (Rooster) comes every 12 days in November and generally, the first day of the Tori is most important. However it is said that a fire is likely to take place in a year when the day of the Tori occurs 3 times.

The origin of the Tori no Ichi Fair was a fair of Hanamatamura 花又村 located in a suburb of Edo (today there is the
Otori Shrine, Shrine Ootori Jinja 鷲神社（おおとりじんじゃ）Eagle Shrine).
On the day of the festival, Ujiko (people under protection of the local deity) dedicated a rooster to Hanamata Washi Daimyojin 花又鷲大明神 and after the festival they went to the most famous temple "Senso-ji　浅草寺" in Asakusa and released the collected roosters in front of the temple.

Many Samurai and townspeople went to visit the main gate of Otori Shrine of Hanamata Washi Daimyojin at the end of the year, and townspeople gambled in front of the shrine and the street. But in 1776, it seems that the government passed the law of prohibition to gamble there. Then the prosperous fair moved to Tori no Ichi of Chokoku-ji in Asakusa from Hanamatamura.

At that time, the fair of Hanamatamura was called "Hon no Tori 本の酉", the fair of the temple of Shosen-ji (It is located in Senju, Tokyo) is called "Naka no Tori　中の酉" and the fair of the temple of Chokoku-ji in Asakusa was called "Shin no Tori　新の酉". There were the three main Tori no Ichi in Edo..

Of the tree fairs, "Shin no Tori" Chokoku-ji of Asakusa was most famous because a statue of Washimyoken Bodhisattva was enshrined in the temple in 1771, moreover, it was adjacent to Shin-Yoshiwara pleasure quarter at the east side. Tori no Ichi of Chokoku-ji in Asakusa became a famous town as Fair of Tori until today.

A special thing on Tori no Ichi was
kumade　熊手, the "Bamboo Rake for good luck".
A highly decorated bamboo rake was particular popular as a good to bring happiness and prosperity in business. It is said that to bring happiness for New Year is to change a bigger bamboo rake year by year. On the other hand, the Temple of Chokoku-ji in Asakusa had sold a small bamboo rake with an ear of rice as a charm. Today this bamboo rake is sold at temples of Tori and other shrines of Washi (Eagle) during the fair.

There were other popular specialties (foods).
"Kashira no Imo (steamed taro)" and
"Koganemochi (Japanese rice cake)".
They were poplar and sold to people who hope to be succeeded in business and wealth.
Today, only one shop sells "Kashira no Imo" and there is no shop to sell "Koganemochi".
But in place of "Koganemochi", the Japanese cake called "Kirizansho" is sold at the Asakusa Tori no Ichi.

CLICK here for many illustrations
source : www.torinoichi.jp
Copyright 2002-2003 Juzaisan Chokoku-ji 長國寺.

ootori 鷲(おおとり) Otori here is the eagle.


CLICK for more Ukiyo-E of the kumade rakes.

kumadeya san 熊手屋さん Kumade vendor

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Now let us look at the related kigo.

tori no ichi 酉の市 (とりのいち)
market on the day of the rooster
otorisama, o-tori sama お酉さま（おとりさま）
tori no machi 酉の町（とりのまち）town with a market on the day of the rooster
tori no ichi moode 酉の町詣（とりのまちもうで） visiting the market at the day of the rooster

ichi no tori 一の酉（いちのとり）
market on the first day of the rooster
ni no tori 二の酉（にのとり）market on the second day of the rooster
san no tori 三の酉（さんのとり) market on the third day of the rooster



kumade 熊手（くまで） "hand of a bear", lucky bamboo rake
kumade ichi 熊手市（くまでいち） market for lucky rakes

. kumade from Tsuki Jinja 調神社 Saitama .


source :　www.i-wa-i.jp/category
fuku Daruma and kumade 招福まめ熊手



okame-ichi おかめ市（おかめいち） maket for masks of "o-kame"
okame おかめ【阿亀】 is a woman with a flat, round face.
This is also an auspicious item for happy couples.


too no imo 頭の芋（とうのいも）steamed taro
(kashira no imo)

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Asakusa Tori no Ichi Market 浅草 酉の市

. . . CLICK here for Photos !
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toshi no ichi 歳の市 / 年の市 year-end market
most famous in Asakusa, Tokyo

- quote -
Toshi-no-Ichi 年の市 Year-End Market

In Toshi-no-Ichi, a year-end market, objects which are expected to bring good fortune including decorations and buckets to draw the first water for the New Year were sold.
The markets at Fukagawa Hachiman Shrine and Kanda Myōjin Shrine were famous in Edo, however, the Toshi-no-Ichi held at Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa on December 18 was the most bustling of all.
- source : Tokyo Metropolitan Library -

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Things found on the way

KUMADE, the "hand of a bear"

In the legend of Takasago, we have the following pun about the happy old couple and their long life:



The old woman is using a broom to sweep away trouble and
he carries a rake to rake in good fortune.
In Japanese this is also a play of words with
"One Hundred Years" (haku > sweeping the floor)
and
"until 99 years" (kujuku made > kumade, meaning a rake).

. The Takasago Legend 高砂伝説 　

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kakkome　かっこめ Kakkome rake
kakkome is a pun with un o kakikomu 運をかき込む, to rake in good fortune

It is sold at Ootori Jinja 鷲神社 Eagle Shrine, but only on the Tori no Ichi fair at this shrine.
Its official name is

kumade omamori　熊手御守り Kumade rake amulet

It contains the rake for farmers, a written amulet and an ear of rice, with the wish for a good harvest in the coming year. It is also good for business and a happy family.

. Amulets and Talismans from Japan .　

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This HAMAYA (Decorative Arrow) and
HAMAYUMI (Decorative Arrow & Bow)
have been blessed for warding off evil.
The other two lucky charms on the right for the New Year are called Kumade (Bamboo Rake), with the gods of good luck, Ebisu and Daikoku.



. Hamaya 破魔矢, a lucky arrow for the New Year 　


. . . CLICK here for Photos of New Year KUMADE !




Daruma and O-Kame

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Election time !

to rake in the votes ... with a rake / kumade
当選熊手




. Elections 2009 選挙だるま senkyo Daruma


. . . CLICK here for Election Kumade Photos !

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Okame and Otafuku
(O-Kame おかめ【阿亀】, O-Tafuku おたふく【阿多福】)

. Otafuku, O-Fuku Daruma and O-Kame san
お多福だるま、お福達磨, お福だるま 　





hyottoko ひょっとこ Hyottoko

Her husband
Portrayed in a clownish mask with protruding lips and squinty eyes.

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kirizanshoo 切山椒 (きりざんしょう) sweet desert dish
lit. "cut mountain pepper"

A kind of sweet made from rice flour, sugar and mountain pepper. It can be cut and served over a bowl of rice for a quick snack. It is usually served steamed, which enhances the fragrance of the pepper. It is supposed to brick luck with money affairs.
A prepacked cake of this kind is also sold at the New Year Fair "Tori no Ichi" at Asakusa, Tokyo.

. WASHOKU
Food of the New Year Season
O-Setchi Ryori
(osetchi ryoori おせち料理, 御節料理 )

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HAIKU

春を待つことのはじめや　酉の市
Haru wo matsu, Koto no hajime ya, Tori-no-Ichi

Anticipating Spring,
The beginning of it all,
Year-end fairs.

Takarai Kikaku

source : otorisama

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福熊手かかげて門に雪達磨　　 　
fuku kumade kakagete mon ni yuki Daruma

carrying home a lucky kumade
and by the gate
a snowman Daruma 　　　　　　　　

Ayu あゆ　
source : Ginza Haiku Dojo

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Related words

***** Daruma Ichi 達磨市 Markets to Sell Daruma


Tori 酉 rooster (chicken, cock) amulets



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Azuma Dance

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Azuma Dance (Azuma odori)

***** Location: Tokyo
***** Season: Late spring
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Azuma Dance, (Tokyo Dance) Azuma odori
東踊 (あずまおどり) / 東をどり

some saijiki quote it as a kigo for summer




Azuma is an old name for the area in the Kanto plain, including Tokyo.
The geisha of the Shinbashi area performed this spring dance.
It dates back to 1857, when a new road had been constructed to connect this area with the Ginza and many geisha houses started to be built there. It soon became a place of international mingling and dancing.

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Adzuma Tokuya tells us

Thank you for visiting our official "Japanese Traditional Dance" (Adzuma-Ryu　吾妻流) home page.

About 200 years ago, Edo-Sanza (Nakamura-Za, Ichimura-Za, Morita-Za), the official Kabuki theater in the Edo era flourished. Adzuma Tozo, a choreographer of Ichimura-Za started Adzuma-Ryu as a direct descendent. The name of Adzuma Tozo　吾妻東蔵　 was inherited from the first to the third, and thereafter Adzuma-Ryu ceased for a period of time.

In the beginning of the Showa era, my grandmother, Fujima Harue　藤間春枝, the daughter of the dominant kabuki actor, Ichimura Hazaemon 15th, succeeded to the 4th head and revived Adzuma-Ryu. The 4th head Fujima Harue then changed her name to Adzuma Harue and then again changed it to Adzuma Tokuho　徳穂. She used her influence to elevate the status of Adzuma-Ryu before the World War II.

....

Through Adzuma-Ryu we, ourselves enjoy observing traditional things and focus our efforts on harmonizing things traditonal with things modern.

We hope you will become familiar with Japanese Traditional Dance through this site.

©　www.adzuma.com





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The following is a direct except from the Azuma Odori programme from Autumn 1951, from the private collection of Naomi Graham-Diaz, ImmortalGeisha.com.

1.“Imayo Kokaji”Sanjo Kokaji (Swordsmith)
This dance was first put on the stage in 1852. the idea of this dance was taken from one of the old no plays connecting with the Japanese Story in which Sanjo Munechika, a swordsmith, with the help of the divine Inari Fox spirit, forged a fine sword called Ogitsune-Maru (Little-fox).

2. “Korin Byobu”
(Paper screen with a picture painted by Korin)

and many more


© www.immortalgeisha.com



Blacksmith and Divine Fox
Ogata Gekko (1859-1920)

. kajiya　鍛冶屋 kajishi　鍛冶師　 blacksmith .

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


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HAIKU

教師に一夜東をどりの椅子紅し
kyooshi ni ichiya Azuma odori no isu benishi

Nomura Toshiro 能村登四郎

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this Azuma Dancer ...
she throws a quick kiss
at her patron

Gabi Greve, May 2008


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Related words

***** Miyako Odori .. "Dance of the Capital" in Kyoto

***** Kamogawa Odori .. Kamogawa Dance in Kyoto

***** Naniwa Odori ... Naniwa Dance in Osaka

***** Shimabara Odori .. Shimabara Dance, Kyoto

***** Azuma Odori .. Azuma Dance, Tokyo Dance



. azumagiku 東菊 "Azuma chrysanthemum" .
..... azumagiku 吾妻菊（あずまぎく）
Gymnaster savatieri


- #azumadance -
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