Last additions - Asakusa 浅草 |
Chigo children standing by in front of Hozomon Gate. 宝蔵門Mar 19, 2012
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The Golden Dragon takes after the "Golden Dragon Mountain" mountain name of Sensoji temple. 金龍山Mar 19, 2012
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I went to see the procession on March 18, 2012. Golden Dragon standing by to join the procession.Mar 19, 2012
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To mark the 700th anniversary of Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival in 2012, a boat procession was held on Sumida River on March 18, 2012. The last time they did this was in 1958. Mar 19, 2012
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The three portable shrines were first carried from Asakusa Shrine to neighboring Sensoji temple on March 17 where it stayed overnight. On the 18th, they were carried outside and a procession around Asakusa was held. Mar 19, 2012
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I also saw the White Heron Dance in April 2010. It was slightly different. My YouTube video of the White Heron Dance in April 2010.Jun 06, 2010
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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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Nitemon Gate after renovations. Fresh paint makes it bright red. 二天門Apr 17, 2010
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Clearing the way down Nakamise. On the way back, they turned right into another temple and did not go all the way down Nakamise. Apr 17, 2010
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Information on the date/time when the dance is held is posted at e-asakusa.jp. Note that the time may vary. Last year they started at 3:30 pm instead of 2:30 pm this year.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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The baton twirler does his thing as the crowd gathers around.Apr 17, 2010
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Each shirasagi dancer bowed to Sensoji (being renovated) before heading back to Nakamise.Apr 17, 2010
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Shirasagi dancers proceeding back to Nakamise.Apr 17, 2010
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Shirasagi dancers along Nakamise after passing through Hozomon Gate.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Looks like the bird feeder still had something left in her food box.Apr 17, 2010
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After the dance, they proceeded back to where they came from.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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During a brief break, people gawk at the dancers. This was when I talked to one of them.Apr 17, 2010
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This is what the "bird feed" was. Colored pieces of paper with the kanji characters for "good fortune" and "long life." No wonder people were rushing to pick these up. Well, I guess I'll live a long and prosperous life..Apr 17, 2010
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At the end of the dance, they bowed.Apr 17, 2010
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Then there was a rush of people to pick up the "bird feed" which were small colored pieces of paper. I didn't know what was going on, but I rushed in too and grabbed two of the pieces of paper.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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I guess the birds are happy with full stomachs.Apr 17, 2010
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The bird feeder sprinkles more food for the birds.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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It looks like they are feeding.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Close-up of the heron head.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Fingers fastened to the wings control the wings.Apr 17, 2010
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Shirasagi dancers spreading their wings.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Another shirasagi shadow.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Most of the dancers seemed to be high school age, although I noticed a few older women as well.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance at Asakusa.Apr 17, 2010
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I was told that they practice the dance only a few days before the performance. Apparently, it's not that difficult to master. It also seems that different dancers do it each time.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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White Heron dancers were silent and sang nothing as the musicians played.Apr 17, 2010
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The dance started with the baton twirler running around the dancers.Apr 17, 2010
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Immediately, I noticed the great shadows the dancers were casting. Proof of how good the costumes are made and how well they are posed.Apr 17, 2010
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The bird feeder then sprinkled small pieces of colored paper above the white heron dancers.Apr 17, 2010
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The shirasagi dancers then spread their wings and started to dance.Apr 17, 2010
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At around 2:30 pm, they started dancing.Apr 17, 2010
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The eight shirasagi dancers formed two groups of four with the umbrella holder between the two groups.Apr 17, 2010
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There are also three warriors who never did anything. 武人Apr 17, 2010
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The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.Apr 17, 2010
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These guardian children lead the way. They come from Sensoji Kindergarten. 守護童子Apr 17, 2010
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Bird feeder and umbrella holder. 餌まき,Apr 17, 2010
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They walked to the area in front of the 5-story pagoda. Apr 17, 2010
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The contingent pass through Hozomon Gate which is right in front of Sensoji temple.Apr 17, 2010
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They head toward Sensoji temple as the crowd make way for them along Nakamise.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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If you look at their white heron costume, you can see that it's quite ingenius, the way it functions and the way it looks.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Once in a while, the shirasagi dancers spread their wings and do a few dance steps along the narrow Nakamise shopping arcade.Apr 17, 2010
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Toward the end of the procession is a group of musicians, 19 of them (楽人). Some of them walk while the others ride a float.Apr 17, 2010
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Musicians float. They are playing music all the while.Apr 17, 2010
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This is the umbrella holder (ogasa 大傘). He doesn't really shade anyone.Apr 17, 2010
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Their costume is quite elegant whichever way you look at it. Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance, Asakusa.Apr 17, 2010
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Shirasagi-no-Mai dancer at Asakusa.Apr 17, 2010
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I'm not sure how they keep the tall bird head and neck on their heads.Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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Apr 17, 2010
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The Shirasagi-no-Mai white heron dancers pass through Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa.Apr 17, 2010
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The bird feeder (esa-maki 餌まき) holds a nice box containing pieces of colored paper.Apr 17, 2010
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There are various characters in the White Heron Dance contingent. This is the baton twirler (bo-furi 棒ふり) in orange pants followed by the bird feeder.Apr 17, 2010
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The procession, headed by chigo children, pass through Kaminarimon Gate.Apr 17, 2010
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The Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance is performed in Asakusa on the second Sunday of April and on Nov. 3. On April 11, 2010, I found them on the main road at around 2 pm. The mans holds a banner reading "Shirasagi-no-Mai."Apr 17, 2010
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The shirasagi white heron dancers. There are eight of them. They were to perform the dance at 2:30 pm in front of Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon) temple.Apr 17, 2010
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This is on the main road in front of Kaminarimon Gate (giant red paper lantern). The procession occupied one lane of road as they headed for Kaminarimon Gate.Apr 17, 2010
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Drunkard on streetSep 04, 2008
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Mikoshi and the infamous beer sculpture.Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Sanja MatsuriSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Tekomai hairstyleSep 04, 2008
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Sanja Matsuri: Not sure if this is a geisha group or a kabuki group.Sep 04, 2008
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Tekomai geishaSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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I caught up with the geisha procession.Sep 04, 2008
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The golden sculpture is atop the Asahi Beer building in Asakusa. It's supposed to be beer froth, but most people think it looks like doo-doo.Sep 04, 2008
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They look pretty anyway.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Nakamise shopping arcade, heading to Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sanja FestivalSep 04, 2008
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Behind us was also a big crowd.Sep 04, 2008
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Under Kaminarimon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Nakamise shopping arcade, heading to Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Passing through Kaminarimon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Heading for Kaminarimon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Passing through Kaminarimon Gate. This group is from Kaminarimon.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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The geisha group at Hozomon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Taking a break in front of Kaminarimon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Panoramic shot of a mikoshi n front of Kaminarimon Gate. I was in a tight squeeze during this shot, mixed in with the mikoshi bearers.Sep 04, 2008
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Crowded even along Nakamise shopping arcade's back alley.Sep 04, 2008
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On the left, the mikoshi navigator refers to his festival map and schedule.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Passing through Nakamise shopping arcade, heading to Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Sanja MatsuriSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Heading for Kaminarimon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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The Sanja Matsuri also includes a small but photogenic procession of geisha. Tekomai geisha lead a small group of geisha and other characters.Sep 04, 2008
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Tekomai geishaSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Ladies with flower hatsSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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White Heron Dance (Shirasagi no Mai).Sep 04, 2008
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Above the Asakusa Tourist Information Center is this clock which opens and chimes every hour. This clock is no more since a new building for the tourist information center opened in April 2012.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Dolls representing three of Asakusa's most famous festivals appear. This is Sanja Matsuri. On the right, notice the foreign woman doll with blond hair.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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People are not supposed to stand on the mikoshi.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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GeishaSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Police watch the crowd on Kaminarimon-doriSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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What it looks like when you carry the mikoshi.Sep 04, 2008
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The mikoshi rests too.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Sanja MatsuriSep 04, 2008
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Golden Dragon Dance (Kinryu no Mai).Sep 04, 2008
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Ice cream break.Sep 04, 2008
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Some foreigners also carry the mikoshi.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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The Sanja Festival is known to have many yakuza gangsters participating. However, I hardly saw any this year. Perhaps because the three Sanja mikoshi were not paraded this year and they could not ride on it half naked. Or they were all covered up.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Shrine also has a stage for various entertainment such as an Asakusa geisha dance.Sep 04, 2008
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OK, break time is over and they pick up the mikoshi.Sep 04, 2008
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Taiko drummerSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Storehouse for the three Sanja mikoshi portable shrines.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Shrine torii.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Worshippers line up to pray at Asakusa Shrine.Sep 04, 2008
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And taiko drumming.Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Sanja MatsuriSep 04, 2008
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Kaminarimon-dori road during Sanja MatsuriSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Mikoshi passing through Asakusa Shrine, right next to Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Float for festival music.Sep 04, 2008
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The mikoshi passes under Kaminarimon Gate, a symbol of Asakusa. The giant red lantern is collapsed upward to make room.Sep 04, 2008
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The three Sanja mikoshi portable shrines dedicated to the three fishermen who founded the Kannon statue. Unfortunately, the parading of these mikoshi was canceled this year (2008) because people always stood on the beams to ride on it.Sep 04, 2008
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Festival music (drums and flute).Sep 04, 2008
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Area in front of Kaminarimon GateSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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A mikoshi in front of Asakusa Shrine.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Festivals are tiring.Sep 04, 2008
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Heading down Nakamise shopping arcade.Sep 04, 2008
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Quite a few women carried the mikoshi too.Sep 04, 2008
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Mikoshi drummerSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Never too busy for a phone call.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Mikoshi for the kids too.Sep 04, 2008
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Asakusa Sanja FestivalSep 04, 2008
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Heading to Hozomon Gate.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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One funny old man took his bicycle right through the crowd. He was soon escorted out.Sep 04, 2008
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Nakamise shopping arcade.Sep 04, 2008
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"OK mom, I'll pick up the bread, milk, cereal, and natto after this festival is over."Sep 04, 2008
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Nakamise shopping arcadeSep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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After passing through Hozomon Gate, they enter Nakamise shopping arcade.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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The mikoshi also leave Sensoji temple and head to the Nakamise shopping arcade.Sep 04, 2008
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HeadbandSep 04, 2008
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The same man some years before??Sep 04, 2008
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A higher view.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Meanwhile, inside Sensoji temple, worshippers who managed to squeeze through the crowds go inside the temple to pray.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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Mikoshi also depart the left side of Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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This is what it looks like in front of Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Left side of Sensoji temple, in "the pit."Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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What it looks like from the left side of Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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This mikoshi is heading to the front of Sensoji temple. I followed them.Sep 04, 2008
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Sep 04, 2008
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They receive their blessings, then leave.Sep 04, 2008
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Phoenix atop the mikoshi roof.Sep 04, 2008
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This is what it looks like at the ground level in "the pit."Sep 04, 2008
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Heading to the front of Sensoji temple.Sep 04, 2008
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