July 15, 2002

• Sensouji Temple in Asakusa - Hozuki Ichi

  This group of pictures is a preface to the Ground Cherry market, held every year at Sensouji Temple in Asakusa.  It is in lower eastern Tokyo and is a big tourist spot. After getting off the Ginza Subway Line, you can find this place quite easily from the huge lantern hanging in the gate, called "Kaminari Mon" or "Thunder Gate."

  

  As you proceed through the gate, you will pass through a long shopping street called "Nakamise," where you will be offered a kaleidoscope of souvenirs, both traditional and modern.  There are also many places that sell special local goodies.  The man in the second picture is selling chewy rice balls on sticks that have been dusted with sugary soybean powder.

  

  As we proceed through the Nakamise shopping street, we come to the actual temple gate and then to the temple itself.  It is on the temple grounds that the Ground Cherry Market is held.  This year I went on the second day, but as a typhoon was approaching, business was not so good.  Taking pictures of the various foods and goodie stalls is half of the fun for me, but the weather was bad and they all folded early for the day.

  

  Nakamise Shopping Street

  

  

   

  See the smoke from the incense burner.  People like to rub it on their heads because they think it will make them smarter.

  

  On to the Hozuki-Ichi or Ground Cherry Market!

  

  This vendor looks disappointed by the bad weather.

  

  

  Another soggy vendor

  

  Hey, step right up and take one of these home with you!  There are usually no bargains, as all of the stores seem to have agreed on the same price, but at $25 a pot on a rainy day, the merchandise was not moving well.

  

  Didn't want her picture taken?

  

  X

  

  Here is a shot of a sales booth with a pagoda in the background.

  

  Here is incense burning in the brazier that I mentioned before.

  

  Trying to catch a handful of "healthy" smoke

  

  Ground Cherry branches for sale.

   

  Is she going to buy one?

  Here are some more pictures from Asakusa on a sunnier day.

  

  These girls are all dressed up in summer kimono called Yukata.

  

  

  

  A sudden shower

  

  Let's hang out in the nearby covered shopping arcade.  The owner of this shop has been to the Morning Glory Market.

  

  I liked these jars of rice crackers all in rows.

  

  Here is a traditional beanery.

  

  This fellow is making "Ningyo Yaki" a traditional treat of the Asakusa area.

  

  For $10 you get a box of bean jam sweets baked in the shape of the heads of auspicious gods.

  • 08:57
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