Image search results - "asakusa"
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Sadly, the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri no longer held. It used to be held annually on Nov. 3 (Culture Day) in Asakusa, Tokyo.the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Historical Periods) is a parade tracing the history of Tokyo with over 1,600 people dressed in the respective period's costume. This is the lead float playing music. It took about an hour for the parade to reach Kaminarimon Gate.

Lead Float: Edo festival music played by children. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai
先導 子供江戸囃子屋台

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This page is a complete English guide to all the groups that appear in the parade. The parade assembles behind Sensoji Temple and starts at 1:30 pm from Nitenmon gate. The procession then goes down Umamichi-dori street, passes by Matsuya Department Store.先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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From Matsuya Department Store, the procession turns right into Kaminarimon-dori street which passes in front of the famous, giant red lantern called Kaminarimon Gate. Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. The names of the children playing are written on the red lanterns hanging above. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri Banner and Tekomai geisha. From top to bottom, the banner reads, "Tokyo Jidai Matsuri." It marks the official and real start of the festival parade. The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. 東京時代祭本旗The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. Slight changes in the festival have been made since. Instead of two oiran courtesans, there is only one now. And at the end of the parade, the Asakusa Revue of showgirls used to be the anchor. But they are now gone.

東京時代祭本旗、手古舞
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Bird's eye view of Asakusa with Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and Nakamise arcade.
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Tekomai geisha existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari originally sung by lumberers hauling wood. 手古舞These tekomai did not sing, so they might not be real. When they sing, they hold a fan to their mouth.

手古舞
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Green roofed Nakamise path to Sensoji temple in Asakusa.
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Tekomai geisha costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" showing a flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag a wand."Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞
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Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and intersection in Asakusa.
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Tekomai geisha
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Nakamise
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Magistrate Procession 奉行
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Tokyo Skytree
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A magistrate (bugyo) in Edo could be a regional governor or government minister.
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Tokyo Skytree
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The 25th Asakusa Yabusame horseback archery was held on April 21, 2007 at Sumida Park.
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Magistrate Procession 奉行
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Parallel to Sumida River, the archery course is straight and narrow, stretching from the Tobu Line bridge to Kototoi Bridge.
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Magistrate Procession. Bowing to Asakusa Temple.
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The course has three targets which the archers will shoot arrows at.
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Year 628: Two fishermen brothers find a golden Kannon buddha statue in Sumida River. The two fishermen were Hinokuma no Hamanari and Takenari. A wealthy landowner named Hajinomatsuchi heard about the statue and told the brothers about its religious value.He then built a small temple for the statue and the brothers converted to Buddhism. The temple eventually became today's Sensoji Temple (also called Asakusa Kannon Temple). Because of the temple, Asakusa developed and prospered and the two brothers and landlord are considered to be the founders of Asakusa.

Next to Sensoji Temple is Asakusa Shrine dedicated to these three men now deified. Asakusa Shrine holds the annual Sanja Matsuri in May, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals. Three portable shrines dedicated to these three men are carried around the streets of Asakusa. "Sanja" means three shrines or gods.

檜前浜成(ひのくまのはまなり)・竹成(たけなり)の兄弟の網に一体の小さなご仏像がかかりました。
東京のあけぼの 浅草観音示現
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Raised dirt along the archery course.
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First, the horses, archers, and attendants parade along the entire course.
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Wooden targets
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Golden Dragon Dance. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞
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Archer
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According to legend, three days after the golden Kannon statue was found, a golden dragon descended from heaven and danced. The mountain name of the temple is Kinryu-zan, meaning Golden Dragon Mountain. (Most temples have a mountain name.)
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Yabusame archer
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Golden Dragon Dance was first performed in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of Sensoji's main worship hall. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞
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Golden Dragon Dance. No smoke or fire came out of the mouth. The dragon is 15 meters long, weighing about 80 kg. It has a bamboo frame, covered with cloth. Eight men use poles to manipulate the golden dragon.
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Golden Dragon Dance
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Golden Dragon Dance
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Deer skin
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Golden Dragon Dance
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Setting up the wooden target.
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Golden Dragon Dance musicians
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Bull's eye. This is the third and last target along the course. It is quite difficult to hit all three targets, especially the last one.
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan 在原業平 東下り
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The horseback archer raises his bow and arrow high in the air as he nears the target.
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan在原業平 東下り
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan. He was a Japanese waka poet and aristocrat. He was one of six waka poets referred in the preface in kana to Kokinshu by Ki no Tsurayuki. A woman portrays him. 在原業平 東下り
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Arrow in mid-air. Asakusa Yabusame.
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在原業平 東下り
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Dead on!
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在原業平 東下り
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The archers return to the starting point.
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Forces of Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199), the founder and the 1st shogun of the Kamakura Period, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. He is said to have prayed at Asakusa Temple for victory over the Taira Clan to become shogun. 源頼朝 隅田川陣営源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
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Minamoto no Yoritomo (Hatakeyama Shigetada). His prayers for victory were answered. 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営 (畠山重忠)
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Minamoto no Yoritomo 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
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Hojo Masako (1156-1225), wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, worships at Asakusa Temple. As the wife of the first shogun and mother of the second and third shoguns, she was a powerful lady. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝
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This is the second target at the center of the archery course. This is where the biggest crowd was.
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple
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Woman archer misses her target.
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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The crowd favorite was this high school girl. See the arrow pierce the wooden target.
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White Heron Dance, called Shirasagi no Mai, was revived in 1968 by the Asakusa tourist federation. Originating from the Heian Era, the dance was depicted in a picture scroll owned by the Sensoji Temple. 白鷺の舞It shows the dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation.

The dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.

It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.

白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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The scroll showed the White Heron Dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation. 白鷺の舞

It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.

白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Local high school girl proudly rides back to the starting point amid applause.
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This White Heron Dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.
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Woman archer
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White Heron Dance is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa. The dance was revived in 1968 in Asakusa to mark the Meiji Period Centennial. It has been performed annually on Nov. 3 ever since. 白鷺の舞
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White Heron Dance, Shirasagi no Mai. The eight white herons represent four male and four female herons.
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White Heron Dance rear view
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This is the first target which is near the starting point. Love it when the target shatters like that.
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The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.
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The wooden target boards have an envelope of confetti stuck on the back so it explodes when the target breaks apart.
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White Heron Dance in front of Kaminarimon Gate.
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Bingo! Also see my YouTube video here.
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White Heron Dance
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White Heron Dance
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Right after hitting the first target, the archer starts to pull out another arrow for the next target.
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Sarutahiko, Guardian of the earth. 猿田彦 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Don't climb up any trees or step into the azalea bushes please. この叔父、つつじに入っちゃダメですよ。
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White Heron Dance
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Runners in Asakusa
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Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. This dance also originated in Asakusa by farmers who celebrated the completion of a tea house in Asakusa near the Asakusa Sensoji Temple. It is now a dance to celebrate a good harvest. びんざさら舞

びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Runners pass by Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa
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The Binzasara is a musical instrument made of 108 strips of white cedar wood strung together at the top. It is held on both ends and shaken in a wave motion to make a sharp wood clapping sound. It is also accompanied by drums as seen here.びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Runners pass by Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa 東京マラソン 浅草雷門
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Binzasara Dance三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Runners pass by Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa. Also see the video at YouTube.
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Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. They also throw confetti during the dance.This dance also originated in Asakusa by farmers who celebrated the completion of a tea house in Asakusa near the Asakusa Sensoji Temple. It is now a dance to celebrate a good harvest.

The Binzasara is a musical instrument made of small pieces of white cedar wood strung together at the top. It is held on both ends and shaken in a wave motion to make a sharp wood clapping sound.

びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Runners in Asakusa where they also held various entertainment.
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Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Sanja portable shrines on boats. Sanja means "Three Shrines." The three fishermen who found the Kannon buddha statue (the origin of Sensoji Temple) are deified by Asakusa Shrine next to Sensoji Temple. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御This is the first portable shrine. The portable shrines used to be paraded in a boat.
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Asakusa Shrine holds the annual Sanja Matsuri in May, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals. Three portable shrines dedicated to these three fishermen are carried around the streets of Asakusa. "Sanja" means three shrines or gods. Portable shrineSecond and third portable shrines.

三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Second portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Third portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Year 1457: Ota Dokan, initial builder of Edo Castle. 江戸開祖 太田道灌、従者・山吹娘
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Ota Dokan, initial builder of Edo Castle. This is played by Shun'ichi Suzuki, the then governor of Tokyo. Body guards were around his float. He is dressed in a hunter's costume. Behind him is an attendant named Yamabuki.江戸開祖 太田道灌、従者・山吹娘
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1608: Ieyasu orders Edo Castle expansion: Rock-hauling procession. Big boulders were hauled from Izu Peninsula's east coast. 江戸城築城 お石曵き
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. 江戸城築城 お石曵き
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession江戸城築城 お石曵き
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. Not a real boulder.
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Year 1590: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. His procession. 徳川家康 江戸入府
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康 江戸入府
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Lord Ii Naomasa, a right-hand man of Tokugawa Ieyasu and major ally in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Based in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. 井伊直政 徳川家康 江戸入府
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Year 1603: Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun. He designates Asakusa Temple as a place of worship, and he worships there himself in 1616. Behind him is his son Tokugawa Hidetada who became the second Tokugawa shogun. 徳川家康 江戸入府
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo and founds the Tokugawa or Edo Period that lasted until 1868.徳川家康 江戸入府
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Inner palace women. 大奥御殿女中
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Inner palace women 大奥御殿女中
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Inner palace women
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Inner palace women
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1649: Tokugawa Iemitsu. In 1649 during his reign as shogun, Asakusa Shrine was built. 徳川家光 三社権現社再建寄進
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1635: Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu. The daimyo was a warlord who owned and supervised a fief. Tokugawa Iemitsu started the Sankin kotai system where all daimyo were required to visit Edo annually at great expense. 参勤交代 大名行列The daimyo was a warlord who owned and supervised a fief. Tokugawa Iemitsu started the Sankin kotai system where all daimyo were required to visit Edo annually at great expense since they traveled in a large contingent.

参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu. "Gyoretsu" means procession. It was a great expense since they traveled in a large contingent. 参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu in front of Kaminarimon Gate.参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu参勤交代 大名行列
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu palanquin. This is how the daimyo traveled--in a comfortable box hand-carried by men. 参勤交代 大名行列
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance. The Genroku Period was 1688-1704, a time of cultural flowering among the masses. 元禄花見踊り
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance
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Year 1702: The 47 masterless retainers arrive to avenge their lord. In 1701 in the shogun's palace, Lord Asano Naganori draws his sword in a fit of anger and cuts Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking master of protocol who had mocked Asano.Asano was immediately forced to commit ritual seppuku. At the end of the following year, his 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku. This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura."

義士の討ち入り
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On Dec. 14, 1702, Asano's 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku.義士の討ち入り
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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り
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1717: Firemen's Acrobatics. Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (1677-1751) and Edo Fire Brigade. Ooka was a famous Edo magistrate who organized fire brigades in Edo. 大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Firemen's Acrobatics大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Firemen's Acrobatics大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Seven Gods of Good Fortune 浅草市村座七福神舞浅草市村座七福神舞
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1624: Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. Kabuki was started in the early Edo Period in 1624. Later, Edo's three licensed kabuki theaters named the Nakamura-za, Ichimura-za, and Morita-za were relocated to Asakusa in an area called Saruwaka."Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. "Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Oiran Dochu Procession. This picture was taken next to the Sensoji Temple behind which the parade starts. Before, one oiran courtesan rode in a rickshaw. 花の吉原おいらん道中花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession 花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.
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Oiran Dochu Procession. This is definitely the highlight of the festival, and my favorite part of the festival. 花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession. The two little girls are called kamuro.
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Oiran Dochu Procession
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The oiran courtesan is escorted by two little girls called kamuro. 花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Also see the video at YouTube. 花の吉原おいらん道中
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She walks in a very slow and stylized way, her feet taking figure-8 steps. She needs the man's shoulder to steady herself.
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Oiran Dochu Procession. It's a wig. Also see the video at YouTube.
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Oiran Dochu Procession in front of Kaminarimon Gate, Asakusa.花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Her clogs. 花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession. This picture was taken in the 1990s when they had two oiran in the festival. Now they have only one. 花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession花の吉原おいらん道中
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Hanakawa do Sukeroku & Ikyu (kabuki characters). Sukeroku and Ikyu vie for the love of a courtesan named Agemaki. 花川戸助六 意休
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Hanakawa do Sukeroku, a favorite son of Asakusa and famed womanizer. He was loved by the people since he sided with the weak and defeated the strong. Made into a kabuki character. 花川戸助六 意休
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Ikyu, the villain. 花川戸助六 意休
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Edo's Popular People 江戸の人気者江戸の人気者
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Edo's Popular People--Isshin Tasuke, a fish peddler and a very popular fictional character. 江戸の人気者(一新太助)
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Edo's Popular People: Mito Komon, an important lord related to the Tokugawa Shogun. He was based in Mito, Ibaraki Pref. Most people know him through the popular Mito Komon TV series. Most people know him through the popular Mito Komon TV series where he is shown traveling around incognito to help people being oppressed by corrupt officials, etc. When he reveals his real identity to the villains, they instantly go down on their knees and maybe even poop in their pants.

江戸の人気者
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Mito Komon: He travels around incognito to help people being oppressed by corrupt officials, etc. When he reveals his real identity to the villains, they instantly go down on their knees and maybe even poop in their pants.Bowing to Mito Komon.

江戸の人気者
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Edo Geisha. These geisha are from Asakusa, which also happens to be one of Tokyo's geisha districts. 江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha 江戸芸者江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha, She was the only one with a smile.
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha portrayed by Asakusa geisha.江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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This was the only one who had a smile. The others were quite serious and solemn.
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha江戸芸者
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Arrival of Black Ships 黒船来航・浦賀奉行黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry, played by Americans from Yokosuka Naval Base. 黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Mistress Okichi, the infamous mistress of Townsend Harris, America's first ambassador to Japan when he was in Shimoda. Another mistress was provided to Harris' interpreter.Okichi was the infamous mistress of Townsend Harris, America's first ambassador to Japan. Another mistress was provided to Harris' interpreter.

黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Shinsengumi was a Kyoto-based, pro-shogunate group of skilled swordsmen of Edo and masterless samurai in Kyoto formed to suppress the growing opposition (especially from Choshu) against the shogunate in favor of restoring the Emperor to power. 新撰組The group disbanded when the shogunate collapsed and Emperor Meiji became the head of state. 新撰組
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Shinsengumi disbanded when the shogunate collapsed and Emperor Meiji became the head of state. The Shinsegumi wore a distinct costume with a light blue haori. 新撰組
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Shinsengumi新撰組
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Year 1867: Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th and last shogun who surrendered power to the emperor and fled Edo in 1868 following military defeat by powerful provincial lords seeking to return power to the Emperor. 第十五代将軍 徳川慶喜第十五代将軍 徳川慶喜
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1868: Transition from Edo to Tokyo (Saigo Takamori). With the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the ruler of Japan shifts from the shogun to an oligarchy ruling under the banner of the emperor. Edo is renamed Tokyo. 江戸から東京へWith the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the ruler of Japan shifts from the shogun to an oligarchy ruling under the banner of the emperor. Edo is renamed as "Tokyo (Tokio)," meaning "Eastern Capital," as ordered by Emperor Meiji.

江戸から東京へ
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Cultural enlightenment: Higuchi Ichiyo (1872-96) was a critically-acclaimed novelist who also graces the 5,000 yen bill. At age 24, she died of tuberculosis. 文明開化 樋口一葉
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. Behind the Asakusa Temple, there was a variety of shows, street performers, plays, and other characters. Asakusa has always been Tokyo's entertainment center. 浅草奥山風景
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. This was the last act. Somewhat tacky end to the festival.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Children from the local kindergarten walk toward Kaminarimon Gate from where they will pull the white elephant.
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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.
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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.
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People crowd around the flower-decorated Hanami-do, the little hall with the baby Buddha.
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People pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. He points one finger to Heaven. 花御堂
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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.
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Inside Sensoji temple was another Hanami-do with a baby Buddha. 花御堂
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Anyone can pour the sweet tea over the baby Buddha for free.
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The little Hanamatsuri parade went through Nakamise and arrived at Sensoji with the white elephant in tow.
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Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり
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In front of Sensoji temple, they held a Hana Matsuri ceremony with the kindergarten kids.
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They sang a few songs. Their parents toting video camcorders recorded the event.
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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.
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Kids pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha during the Hanamatsuri ceremony.
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Hanamatsuri at Sensoji temple in Asakusa.
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Baby Buddha on the white elephant.
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White elephant and the pagoda at Sensoji temple, Asakusa on Buddha's birthday called Hanamatsuri.
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After the ceremony, they served free sweet tea. 甘茶
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Ama-cha sweet tea for everyone. 甘茶
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An extra treat was free flowers (orchids). They gave out a large number of these flowers.
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The flowers were made in Thailand.
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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.
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Hanamatsuri sign
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About Hanamatsuri in Japanese.
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Asakusa Kokaido Hall in Asakusa, Tokyo, venue of the 23rd Asakusa Odori geisha dance held on Oct. 28-29, 2008. It has been seven years since the last time the Asakusa Odori was held in April 2001. 浅草公会度
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Asakusa Odori banner in front of Asakusa Kokaido. The 1st Asakusa Odori (called Asaji-kai 浅茅会) was held in 1950 for four days at the old Sumida Gekijo Hall. It was held annually until 1956. After that, it was held every 2 years or less often.
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Entrance to Asakusa Kokaido and Asakusa Odori sign. In the 1950s, there were 550 geisha in Asakusa. Now there are only about 49 geisha in Asakusa. Not all of them appeared in the Asakusa Odori. The Asaji-kai dance was renamed Asakusa Odori in 1995.
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Asakusa Odori flyer/poster. Two shows (11:30 am and 3 pm) were performed on both days, for a total of four shows. Tickets cost 6,500 yen for reserved seats and 2,000 yen for non-reserved on the 3rd floor.
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Reception table backed by a board listing various corporate sponsors. I attended the final show on Oct. 29, 2008 at 3 pm.
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Stairway to the hall.
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A side attraction was a tea session (ocha-seki) performed and served by two geisha (or hangyoku). It cost 700 yen for tea and sweets. お茶席
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Hall lobby (Get that trash bin outta there.)
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The 2nd floor had a booth selling Asakusa geisha souvenirs. The dance program was 1,000 yen.
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A hand towel with the names of all the current Asakusa geisha was selling for 1,500 yen. They also had T-shirts.
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Name cards of all the geisha were sold for 100 yen apiece.
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Name cards of all 49 Asakusa geisha.
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The dance consisted of four numbers. The first one was called Sara Sanban-so (晒三番叟) which was first performed in Edo in Nov. 1755. 宝暦5年
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There were only four dancers, but they went through several costume changes onstage.
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