 Most viewed - Tokyo Jidai Matsuri Festival 東京時代祭 |
The oiran courtesan is escorted by two little girls called kamuro. 花の吉原おいらん道中2265 views
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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2261 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1830 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Edo Geisha, She was the only one with a smile.1717 views
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This was the only one who had a smile. The others were quite serious and solemn.1682 views
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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.1516 views"Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞
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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.1505 viewsOkichi 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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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1479 views
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝1462 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1456 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1374 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan1307 views在原業平 東下り
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Oiran Dochu Procession1283 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Tekomai geisha1282 views
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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.1258 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession in front of Kaminarimon Gate, Asakusa.1238 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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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1216 views
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Edo Geisha1209 views江戸芸者
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Sadly, the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri is no longer held. It was held annually on Nov. 3 (Culture Day) in Asakusa, Tokyo from 1988 to 2013.1176 viewsThe festival was discontinued due to a money scandal by Taito Ward. Tokyo Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Historical Periods) was 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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Edo Geisha1147 views江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha1141 views江戸芸者
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Inner palace women1094 views
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Inner palace women1088 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Her clogs. 花の吉原おいらん道中1080 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. The two little girls are called kamuro.1067 views
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Edo Geisha1062 views江戸芸者
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Shinsengumi1057 views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1036 views
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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.1024 views義士の討ち入り
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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1009 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Edo Geisha995 views江戸芸者
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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.959 views"Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki959 views猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa953 views三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Firemen's Acrobatics953 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Edo Geisha 江戸芸者952 views江戸芸者
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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939 views
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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)928 views
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Edo Geisha portrayed by Asakusa geisha.916 views江戸芸者
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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904 viewsThe 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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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. "Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎885 views猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Oiran Dochu Procession 花の吉原おいらん道中852 views
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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827 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り826 views
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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.)816 views
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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789 viewsThese 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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Seven Gods of Good Fortune 浅草市村座七福神舞761 views浅草市村座七福神舞
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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750 views
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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740 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消733 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics727 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り723 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance712 views
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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.705 viewsAsano 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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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. This was the last act. Somewhat tacky end to the festival.692 views
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行691 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康 江戸入府677 views
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在原業平 東下り671 views
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Magistrate Procession 奉行658 views
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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.654 views先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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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653 views
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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646 views
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620 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景620 views
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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618 views
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White Heron Dance613 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代 大名行列610 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.606 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession600 views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589 views
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White Heron Dance in front of Kaminarimon Gate.575 views
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Ikyu, the villain. 花川戸助六 意休570 views
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御568 views
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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566 views
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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.561 views江戸開祖 太田道灌、従者・山吹娘
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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.559 viewsHe 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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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.554 views
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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545 views
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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544 views
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Edo Geisha542 views江戸芸者
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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538 views
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A magistrate (bugyo) in Edo could be a regional governor or government minister.536 views
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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533 viewsWith 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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Third portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御529 views
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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527 views第十五代将軍 徳川慶喜
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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517 views
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Edo's Popular People 江戸の人気者509 views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）504 views
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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504 views
びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Edo Geisha503 views江戸芸者
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Magistrate Procession. Bowing to Asakusa Temple.499 views
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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499 viewsThe group disbanded when the shogunate collapsed and Emperor Meiji became the head of state. 新撰組
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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491 views
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Edo Geisha484 views江戸芸者
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Inner palace women. 大奥御殿女中479 views
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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.476 viewsBowing to Mito Komon.
江戸の人気者
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry, played by Americans from Yokosuka Naval Base. 黒船来航・浦賀奉行476 views
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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.475 views 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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Magistrate Procession 奉行474 views
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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470 views
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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Golden Dragon Dance. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞458 views
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449 views
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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449 views
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Arrival of Black Ships 黒船来航・浦賀奉行448 views黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Edo Geisha448 views江戸芸者
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The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.444 views
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Minamoto no Yoritomo 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営439 views
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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432 views
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Sarutahiko, Guardian of the earth. 猿田彦 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御432 views
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在原業平 東下り430 views
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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.422 views
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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.421 viewsびんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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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421 viewsThe 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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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417 views
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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416 views源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
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Golden Dragon Dance412 views
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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410 viewsIt 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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Golden Dragon Dance409 views
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White Heron Dance rear view405 views
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Golden Dragon Dance404 views
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Inner palace women 大奥御殿女中404 views
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan 在原業平 東下り401 views
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Golden Dragon Dance musicians400 views
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Binzasara Dance400 views三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu393 views参勤交代 大名行列
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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389 views
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Year 1590: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. His procession. 徳川家康 江戸入府389 views
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White Heron Dance388 views
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Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. They also throw confetti during the dance.388 viewsThis 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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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. Not a real boulder.385 views
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White Heron Dance, Shirasagi no Mai. The eight white herons represent four male and four female herons.381 views
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Second portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御381 views
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple380 views
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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375 viewsThis 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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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. 江戸城築城 お石曵き363 views
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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 shrine362 viewsSecond and third portable shrines.
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu in front of Kaminarimon Gate.359 views参勤交代 大名行列
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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357 views
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White Heron Dance354 views
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession354 views江戸城築城 お石曵き
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo and founds the Tokugawa or Edo Period that lasted until 1868.345 views徳川家康 江戸入府
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu343 views参勤交代 大名行列
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