July 10, 2006

• Asakusa Ground Cherry Fair - Houzuki Ichi

  I got my act together and my camera and I went to Asakusa's Sensouji Temple for the Hozuki Ichi, or Ground Cherry Fair.  Go to the Ginza Subway Line's Asakusa Station, climb the stairs and here you are at the temple entry.  There is a lot of good stuff on the way, so this is gonna take awhile!

  
  

  

  
  

  Kaminari Mon Gate

  
  

  

  
  

  It's still warm and muggy even though the sky is thankfully overcast, so I am glad to buy a bottle of Lamune soda from this smiling vendor even though the price is a little higher than it might be.  "Lamune" might be derived from the word "lemonade."

  
  

  

  
  

  The seals on lamune bottles are interesting.  See the marble inside?  The carbonation in the bottle keeps it pressed against the top of the bottle as a seal, and the bottle is opened when the marble is pushed down.  The bottle's neck is shaped so that the marble is trapped midway so it does not fall to the bottom of the bottle.  I am not sure why that would be a problem.

  
  

  

  
  

  The next stop along the way is at "ningyo yaki" shop, and we can watch as the batter and azuki bean paste cakes being poured into the molds and baked.  Here goes the bean paste.

  
  

  

  
  

  Now spoon a layer of batter over the top.

  
  

  

  
  

  Now close the mold and put it over the brazier to bake.  See the three molds laid on the brazier?  The baker is removing finished sweets from the mold.

  
  

  We are still on the path the Ground Cherry Fair. 

  
  

  

  
  

  Here are some comical masks for sale on the way.

  
  

  

  
  

  Maybe these are a bit scarier, but not too bad.

  
  

  

  
  

  Here we see an array of wind bells.  It would be nice to listen to this picture as well as view it.  No, that is not a swastika.  It is a manji, which points in the opposite direction and is a religious symbol which has nothing whatsoever to do with the Third Reich.

  
  

  

  
  

  This fellow has an old fashioned haircut wig and is selling traditional goodies.

  
  

  

  
  

  This is Sensouji's main building, and everyone goes up the stairs to say a prayer.

  
  

  

  
  

  To the left we have a counter where one can buy good luck charms.

  
  

  

  
  

  This is a large insense burner, and rubbing the smoke on your head is said to make one smart.

  
  

  

  
  

  We have finally reached the inside grounds and the Hozuki Ichi, or Ground Cherry Fair!  How about a plant for around $20?

  
  

  

  
  

  The fellow at this stand is intent on making a sale to this couple.

  
  

                         

  
  

  

  
  

  I love the way the colors graduate from green to orange.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  These wind bells are accessories to the plants.  I wish this picture had sound.

  
  

                         

  
  

  

  
  

  Here is a salesgirl and a happy customer.

  
  

                 

  
  

  We went to see the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie.  It was good of course, but my heart, I certainly did not want any seafood afterwards!  Yep, Johnnie Depp is a real cutie!  On to the pictures!

  
  

  

  
  

  I always enjoy the goldfish scooping booths.  For a small fee you get a paper net, and can catch fish until the paper breaks.  This girl is pretty good!

  
  

  

  
  

  A booth guy shows us how easy it is!

  
  

  

  
  

  These are yours for the scooping!

  
  

  

  
  

  Turn around and see fishies in a different situation

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  Let's keep walking around in Sensouji.  I don't know how many booths there are, all selling the same plants at the same price.

  
  

  

  
  

  These girls are going for beauty appeal.

  
  

  

  
  

  Here is another fashion statement.

  
  

  

  
  

  You can buy them as drying/dried, too!  I thought the purple and orange was a nice touch.

  
  

  

  
  

  How about it?  Only $10 a stalk.

  
  

  

  
  

  A breeze, a breeze, my kingdom for a breeze!

  
  

  

  
  

  A cold drink would not hurt, either.  Don't mind if I do!!

  • 09:16
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