 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2056 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1954 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1577 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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This was the only one who had a smile. The others were quite serious and solemn.1394 views
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Edo Geisha, She was the only one with a smile.1366 views
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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝1269 views
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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1253 views
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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.1248 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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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.1235 views"Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞
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Oiran Dochu Procession1214 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession1167 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Oiran Dochu Procession1083 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan1078 views在原業平 東下り
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Tekomai geisha1034 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.1007 views
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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 2013.996 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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Oiran Dochu Procession in front of Kaminarimon Gate, Asakusa.984 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Edo Geisha938 views江戸芸者
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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888 views
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Inner palace women878 views
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Inner palace women870 views
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Edo Geisha866 views江戸芸者
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Edo Geisha850 views江戸芸者
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Her clogs. 花の吉原おいらん道中844 views
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Shinsengumi828 views新撰組
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Edo Geisha809 views江戸芸者
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Oiran Dochu Procession. The two little girls are called kamuro.805 views
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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki804 views猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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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.803 views義士の討ち入り
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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787 views
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Edo Geisha785 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.782 views"Sanza" means three theaters. 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773 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Edo Geisha 江戸芸者736 views江戸芸者
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Firemen's Acrobatics734 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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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718 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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Minamoto no Yoritomo (Hatakeyama Shigetada). His prayers for victory were answered. 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営 (畠山重忠)706 views
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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700 views
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Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. "Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎694 views猿若三座 江戸歌舞伎
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Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa679 views三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Edo Geisha portrayed by Asakusa geisha.675 views江戸芸者
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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648 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession 花の吉原おいらん道中645 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.)612 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り591 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580 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565 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563 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics560 views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545 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance543 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.535 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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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り528 views
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行528 views
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在原業平 東下り514 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510 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. This was the last act. Somewhat tacky end to the festival.495 views
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Magistrate Procession 奉行492 views
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450 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446 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景446 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.445 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康 江戸入府442 views
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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439 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession439 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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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.426 views先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代 大名行列418 views
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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416 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412 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395 views
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White Heron Dance386 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.379 views江戸開祖 太田道灌、従者・山吹娘
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Ikyu, the villain. 花川戸助六 意休379 views
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White Heron Dance in front of Kaminarimon Gate.369 views
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Third portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御369 views
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御368 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368 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360 views
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A magistrate (bugyo) in Edo could be a regional governor or government minister.357 views
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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346 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341 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337 views
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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.329 views
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Edo Geisha329 views江戸芸者
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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326 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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Edo's Popular People 江戸の人気者323 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）322 views
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Edo Geisha314 views江戸芸者
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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.312 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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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance. The Genroku Period was 1688-1704, a time of cultural flowering among the masses. 元禄花見踊り311 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.305 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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Edo Geisha305 views江戸芸者
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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304 viewsThe group disbanded when the shogunate collapsed and Emperor Meiji became the head of state. 新撰組
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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.299 viewsBowing to Mito Komon.
江戸の人気者
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Inner palace women. 大奥御殿女中298 views
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Magistrate Procession 奉行295 views
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry, played by Americans from Yokosuka Naval Base. 黒船来航・浦賀奉行294 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291 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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Edo Geisha290 views江戸芸者
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Magistrate Procession. Bowing to Asakusa Temple.288 views
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Minamoto no Yoritomo 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営278 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275 views
びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.273 views
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在原業平 東下り271 views
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Arrival of Black Ships 黒船来航・浦賀奉行271 views黒船来航・浦賀奉行
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Golden Dragon Dance. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞262 views
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Sarutahiko, Guardian of the earth. 猿田彦 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御259 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.247 views
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Golden Dragon Dance244 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244 views源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
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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.243 viewsびんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Golden Dragon Dance242 views
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Golden Dragon Dance239 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239 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236 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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Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple235 views
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Year 1590: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. His procession. 徳川家康 江戸入府233 views
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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227 views
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Golden Dragon Dance musicians225 views
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Binzasara Dance225 views三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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White Heron Dance rear view223 views
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White Heron Dance219 views
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Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan 在原業平 東下り215 views
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Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. They also throw confetti during the dance.214 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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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu212 views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211 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208 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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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206 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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White Heron Dance, Shirasagi no Mai. The eight white herons represent four male and four female herons.200 views
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Inner palace women 大奥御殿女中200 views
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Second portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御197 views
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. Not a real boulder.194 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo and founds the Tokugawa or Edo Period that lasted until 1868.192 views徳川家康 江戸入府
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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 shrine190 viewsSecond and third portable shrines.
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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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187 views
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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185 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu185 views参勤交代 大名行列
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession184 views江戸城築城 お石曵き
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White Heron Dance181 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu in front of Kaminarimon Gate.181 views参勤交代 大名行列
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Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. 江戸城築城 お石曵き180 views
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