Last additions - Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり |
About Hanamatsuri in Japanese.Jun 04, 2010
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Hanamatsuri signJun 04, 2010
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The flowers were made in Thailand.Jun 04, 2010
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Pretty orchid. It had a water capsule at the end of the stem. At the top were buds which later bloomed. This flower lasted me well over a month before it withered.Jun 04, 2010
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An extra treat was free flowers (orchids). They gave out a large number of these flowers.Jun 04, 2010
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Jun 04, 2010
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After the ceremony, they served free sweet tea. 甘茶Jun 04, 2010
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Ama-cha sweet tea for everyone. 甘茶Jun 04, 2010
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White elephant and the pagoda at Sensoji temple, Asakusa on Buddha's birthday called Hanamatsuri.Jun 04, 2010
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Baby Buddha on the white elephant.Jun 04, 2010
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Hanamatsuri at Sensoji temple in Asakusa.Jun 04, 2010
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Jun 04, 2010
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Kids pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha during the Hanamatsuri ceremony.Jun 04, 2010
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Jun 04, 2010
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Asakusa: White elephant is usually present during Hanamatsuri. On the day before the Buddha's mother Queen Maya gave birth, she dreamed that a white elephant entered her womb.Jun 04, 2010
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Jun 04, 2010
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They sang a few songs. Their parents toting video camcorders recorded the event.Jun 04, 2010
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In front of Sensoji temple, they held a Hana Matsuri ceremony with the kindergarten kids.Jun 04, 2010
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Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつりJun 04, 2010
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Anyone can pour the sweet tea over the baby Buddha for free.Jun 04, 2010
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The little Hanamatsuri parade went through Nakamise and arrived at Sensoji with the white elephant in tow.Jun 04, 2010
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Inside Sensoji temple was another Hanami-do with a baby Buddha. 花御堂Jun 04, 2010
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Sweet tea is poured over a statue of a baby buddha. According to legend, sweet rain (or perfumed water) fell when the Buddha was born.Jun 04, 2010
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Jun 04, 2010
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People pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. He points one finger to Heaven. 花御堂Jun 04, 2010
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Sensoji temple was renovating its roof so it is covered with scaffolding (painted with a gold dragon). Out front is the Hanami-do where you can pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha.Jun 04, 2010
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Every April 8, if it's a nice day, I try to visit a different temple in Japan to see Hanamatsuri. This year I decided to see it in Asakusa.Jun 04, 2010
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People crowd around the flower-decorated Hanami-do, the little hall with the baby Buddha.Jun 04, 2010
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Children from the local kindergarten walk toward Kaminarimon Gate from where they will pull the white elephant.Jun 04, 2010
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Like most major Buddhist temples, Sensoji temple in Asakusa holds its Hanamatsuri to mark Buddha's birthday on April 8. Hana Matsuri sign at Kaminarimon Gate.Jun 04, 2010
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A symbol of Hanamatsuri (literally "flower festival") is the white elephant which is paraded around. This one stands ready at Kaminarimon Gate. It has a baby Buddha statue on top.Jun 04, 2010
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When the Buddha was born, he walked seven steps and said, "I am my own Lord through Heaven and Earth," and pointed one hand to Heaven and the other to Earth.Jun 04, 2010
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