Since the Edo Period (1603-1868), kumade have been purchased at Tori No Ichi Festivals throughout the Tokyo area each November.  Kumade are very colorful, highly decorated bamboo rakes, that are believed to “rake in good fortune” and bring happiness to those who purchase and display them.

Tori No Ichi festivals are celebrated on the days of the tori, or rooster, at shrines throughout Japan.  The day of the rooster comes every twelve days in November and the dates are determined by the Chinese calendar which utilizes a cycle of twelve animals is used to count days, months, and years.  These popular events draw many visitors to the shrines who offer prayers for abundant harvests and prosperous sales to the Gods, the latter being more common in modern times and in big cities.

In the Edo period, Tori no Ichi festivals were the first to welcome the New Year as this haiku by Kikaku Takarai celebrates:

Haru wo matsu,
Koto no hajime ya,
Tori-no-Ichi

In English:

Anticipating Spring,
The beginning of it all,
Year-end fairs.

Source: Ohtori Shrine website

Kumade and otafuku, masks depicting a round-faced woman, two good luck charms associated with this festival, are sold on festival days by vendors who set up stalls in and around the celebrating shrines.  Decorations that commonly adorn kumade include masks of lucky Gods, replicas of gold coins, the seven gods of good fortune (Shichi-Fuku-Jin), miniature treasure ships (Takarabune) and chests, bales of rice, sea bream and even small replicas of shrines.

Kumade come in a variety of sizes and price ranges but be cautious when you buy your first kumade as one myth says that you must buy a slightly bigger one each year to ensure your good fortune.  For those merchants who have been purchasing these ornate good luck charms for generations the tradition becomes more costly and burdensome each year.

Festivals day are November 5, 17 and 29 in 2008 and but events are held at Otori Shrines in Tokyo and Yokohama and at the Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku-ku starting on the 5th.

The nearest stations to the Otori Shrines are as follows:

• The largest festival is held in Taito-ku.  Access from the Hibiya Line, Iriya Station (10 minute walk)
• Meguro-ku:  Meguro Station (10 minute walk)
• Toshima-ku: Iishibojinmae Station, Toden Arakawa Line
• Yokohama: Yokohama Shiei (Municipal) Subway, Bandobashi Station (10 minute walk)

The Hanazono Shrine (scroll midway down the page for access information) is a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station or a 3 minute walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station.

Image Credit:  Flickr, What a purchase! & Details of a good-luck rake

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