Tori no ichi

Tori-no-ichi is the traditional Japanese open-air market which takes place on the day of the rooster (tori-no-hi, tori meaning bird or here rooster) in November according to the Chinese calendar. And as for this year it is November 12 and 24, 2009.



At the festival you’ll be able to see, vendors selling colorfully decorated Kumade (rake made out of bamboo) of different sizes at the markets. Bamboo Rake, Kumade with decoration of Oban-koban (Japanese money during the Edo period) and Okame (mask of a woman which is said to bring luck) attracts people who wish for happiness, wealth and good business. People go to the Tori-no-ichi to pray for good luck and they also buy the kumade, the charm, to gain luck in life and business.

In the Edo period, Tori-no-ichi was the first fair for welcoming New Year. The day of the Tori (Rooster) comes every 12 days in November and generally, the first day of the Tori is the most important. But it is said that a fire is likely to take place in the year that the day of the Tori has 3 times.

The origin of the Tori-no-ichi was Hanamatamura fair, which was held in the suburb area during Edo period. (Now it is the Otori Shrine in Adachi-ku) And it was originally a harvesting festival by peasants who thanked Hanamata Washidaimyojin, the shrine of Eagle. The whole festival was about how they would dedicate rooster to the Hanamata Washidaimyojin and afterwards they would release those roosters at the Sensoji in Asakusa.

Bamboo Rake with decoration of Oban-koban (Japanese money during the Edo period) and Okame (mask of a woman which is said to bring luck) attracts people who wish for happiness, wealth and good business.