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sanji
Wed May 16, 2007 9:42 am

Asakusa (Tokyo-to) - Sanja Matsuri - 3rd WE of May
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One of the most famous matsuri in Tokyo, held in Asakusa.

Sanja Matsuri is a big matsuri (festival) dating from the Edo period, and attracting every year around 1'500'000 spectators during those 3 days. It is dedicated to three sacred men who played an important role in the foundation of the Sensoji Temple.


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The festival start on Friday, at 1 pm, with a procession in the streets, followed at night (7-9 pm) by a parade of mikoshi (portable shrines).
On Saturday, 88 mikoshi are first blessed in front of the Asakusa shrine, before parading the whole day. Some smaller portable shrines are taken care by children. The procession continues until the night.
Sunday is the day called Miya Mikoshi, when the three most important mikoshi of the Asakusa shrine are taken out in the early morning (very early, from 5 am). They are then transported around, with a pack crowd waiting for this moment. This is the climax of the matsuri, which will continue toward to night.

More information : www.asakusa-e.com/tokushu/tokushu2_e.htm
