Arguably the greatest thing about Japanese festivals is the people that they attract, and the tori no ichi matsuri at Tokyo’s Hanazono Shrine is definitely no different; an event where people go to pray for good luck and buy extortionately priced bamboo ornaments, or kumade.
But as the shrine is in kabukicho, Shinjuku’s famous red-light district, the traditional attire of most festivals was noticeably absent, and was instead replaced by a look that seemed more appropriate to the surrounding area. Such as the glamorous.
Which sunglasses are certainly good for.
And also the girlie.
Not to mention, of course, the more grizzled.
Plus, as well as the usual food and drink on offer, there was also the option of seeing the travelling ‘snake lady’, about whom more can be read here. The prospect of which, partly built up by her promoter.
And her eye-catching promotional poster.
Left some looking a little apprehensive to say the least.
And apprehension was something I also felt at the festival, although not in regards performers, but instead about taking pictures. As, due to the kinds of businesses that were looking for a bit of luck, there were a large number of mobsters and their minions milling about. None of which, for obvious reasons, I felt comfortable photographing.
So instead, here’s a yakuza tattoo-themed Kewpie kumade to finish off with.
Mark says
Festivals in Japan are very interesting. I have been to many of them and I always wondered as a kid why almost all the stores in the festival(DE-MISE) were run by a scary looking guy… as an adult I finally understood that most of them are run by the local mobs. At least where I’m at. But festivals are still fun to go to so this ain’t stoppin me from having a good time.
Ken C says
Look at the guy with the beard in the stall in the “grizzled” picture. Is he about to smile or look threatening?
Glad you got out in one piece Lee. I can’t do without my daily fix of Japan.
Lee says
Smiling. I think!
Nah, it was fine. Even had a chat with some of the stall holders. Provided you didn’t cross them of course, there’d never be any trouble. At least from my experience.
Jeffrey says
I don’t think all the festivals are run by the local of whichever yakuza group happens to be entrenched in that area. That being said, I do remember reading years ago that the tekkiya (vendors) do pay for the “privilege” of being able to offer their wares at local festivals.
jamesmallon says
The painting of the snake disturbed me by putting the idea of something else in my mind.
Lee says
Yes, I dare say the snake lady knew what she was doing there!
Jeffrey says
Good! It wasn’t only me trolling the gutter of my psyche.
DevO says
Wow, that kewpie is really something else! 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, pretty special isn’t it? Must admit, I was more than a bit surprised when I saw it.
Kenman says
Yakuza Kewpie! Priceless!
Matt says
The snake lady did not live up to her poster image. Your other pictures made up for it though.
Lee says
Thanks Matt. Yes, it was obviously based on her younger days…
Jeffrey says
Lee, I hope you don’t mind but I posted that to my Facebook page. The kids can’t hardly have a meal without Kewpie.
Lee says
No, not at all Jeffrey.
Lizzy says
That poor snake . . . . I kind of wish I hadn’t clicked that link (didn’t watch the video, weak stomach) but I was starting to wonder of the “snake lady” was akin to the “man eating chicken”.
Lee says
Yes, it wasn’t what I expected either. Something akin to the ‘man eating chicken’ on the other hand really would have been worth seeing!
Our Middle East Correspondent says
Excellent photos, Lee.
Your best ever.
Keep ’em coming.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Glad you liked them. It was quite a unique event/atmosphere that’s for sure.