 Most viewed - Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり |
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.689 views
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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.655 views
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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.494 views
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White elephant and the pagoda at Sensoji temple, Asakusa on Buddha's birthday called Hanamatsuri.484 views
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They sang a few songs. Their parents toting video camcorders recorded the event.381 views
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About Hanamatsuri in Japanese.364 views
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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.340 views
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Hanamatsuri sign321 views
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Hanamatsuri at Sensoji temple in Asakusa.302 views
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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.301 views
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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.298 views
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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.290 views
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The little Hanamatsuri parade went through Nakamise and arrived at Sensoji with the white elephant in tow.283 views
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An extra treat was free flowers (orchids). They gave out a large number of these flowers.278 views
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Inside Sensoji temple was another Hanami-do with a baby Buddha. 花御堂277 views
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Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり275 views
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After the ceremony, they served free sweet tea. 甘茶275 views
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Ama-cha sweet tea for everyone. 甘茶270 views
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In front of Sensoji temple, they held a Hana Matsuri ceremony with the kindergarten kids.265 views
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265 views
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Children from the local kindergarten walk toward Kaminarimon Gate from where they will pull the white elephant.258 views
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People crowd around the flower-decorated Hanami-do, the little hall with the baby Buddha.258 views
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People pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. He points one finger to Heaven. 花御堂249 views
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Baby Buddha on the white elephant.247 views
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Kids pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha during the Hanamatsuri ceremony.241 views
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Anyone can pour the sweet tea over the baby Buddha for free.239 views
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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.229 views
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The flowers were made in Thailand.223 views
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