TORI NO ICHI

Tori No Ichi Fair (open-air market) is a famous annual event in November on the day of Tori (Rooster) in the Chinese calendar and this event has continued to today since the Edo period. Tori No Ichi is held at the Temple of Tori.  Many people go to pray for health, good fortune and good business.  It is the first fair for welcoming the New Year.  The day of the Tori (Rooster) comes every 12 days in November and generally, the first day of Tori is most important.  We went on the second day (November 19 th) along with hundreds of people.  It is said that a fire is likely to take place in the year that the day of the Tori comes 3 times in November.

 A special thing at the Tori No Ichi is the "Bamboo Rake for good luck"  A highly decorated bamboo rake is particular popular.  The goods on the rake bring happiness and prosperity in business. It is said to bring happiness for the New Year you should change to a bigger bamboo rake each year After placing their previous years bamboo rake in the "Kumade Osame Dokoro" people buy a new one that is bigger than the one they had the year before.

 People enjoy bargaining with stall staff.  The staff presents the performance of "Sanbonjime ( a Japanese clapping and calling ritual done to honor the close of an event)" when customers purchase a bamboo rake.  There were stalls that lined the entire entrance to the temple selling various sizes of rakes and the clapping would break out after each sale.

 Visitors throw money toward the temple and the priest are behind a protective covering.  The money is thrown, the prayers are said, and the bell is rang, all in hopes of good health, happiness, and prosperity in business.

 The many, many different sizes of rakes.  Some can be very simple only a rake with a bunch of rice straw as a charm.

 There are stalls on either side selling the rakes.

 Entrance to the Temple

 Our new best friend.  This young girl came up to us and was trying to explain what was going on and that we should buy a statue of a cat (which I can't remember the name of but they are displayed all over Japan.  If the right hand is up it is welcoming good luck in business, if the left hand is up it is welcoming happiness and good luck) Inside these little statues of cats is your fortune.  She came back later and found us to give each of us a candy.  She spoke no English.

There were many food stalls leading up to the temple and on the way back to the train we decided to try some of food from the different stalls.  We started the night with fried noddles.