Utagawa Hiroshige – One Hundred Famous Views of Edo – 102 – Winter – Asakusa Rice Field Pilgrimage at Tori-no-machi 歌川広重-名所江戸百景-102-冬-浅草田甫酉の町詣
Current Address: Washi Shrine, Asakusa, Taito Ward
Latitude and Longitude: Latitude: 35.7109, Longitude: 139.7976
Published: November 1857 Age: 61
Tourist Guide-Style Commentary: “Asakusa Rice Field Pilgrimage at Tori-no-machi”
■ Introduction
Utagawa Hiroshige’s “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” is a masterpiece of 119 prints, vividly depicting the landscapes and people’s activities of Edo during its four seasons.
Among these, “Asakusa Rice Field Pilgrimage at Tori-no-machi” depicts a scene where the faith and entertainment of the Edo commoners blend.
It depicts people worshipping at the “Tori-no-machi” festival held at Otori Shrine in Asakusa.
This work explores the historical origins of Tori no Ichi, an annual festival familiar to us today.
■About Tori no Ichi
Tori no Ichi is a festival held annually on the Day of the Rooster in November, said to have originated at Otori Shrine in Asakusa.
Originally an event dedicated to Emperor Yamato Takeru, it spread as a way to pray for lasting military fortune and prosperity in business.
For the common people of Edo, Tori no Ichi was a traditional end-of-year event.
Street stalls line the grounds of Otori Shrine and Chokokuji Temple, selling gorgeous rakes, which people compete to buy in hopes of good fortune in the coming year.
■Highlights of the Painting
Viewing west from the second floor of a Yoshiwara brothel.
Adorable cats are gazing out from the window together.
A flock of geese fly above Mount Fuji.
The crimson sky along the horizon signals the approaching evening.
Looking closely at the center of the rice field, you can see many people forming a black procession.
They are visiting the “Nishi no Machi” festival, held annually on the west side of November at Washi Daimyojin Shrine, located west of Yoshiwara.
The procession is holding rakes.
Washi Daimyojin Shrine is not depicted, but is likely enshrined on the right side of the picture, at the extension of the procession.
This day is also considered a special holiday in Yoshiwara, known as Monbi.
The black stripe painted on the left edge of the room is a folding screen, the back of which features the Toritsasuki crest.
Four rake-shaped hairpins are placed on the tatami mat.
They are likely souvenirs from guests who attended Tori no Machi.
■Modern-Day Tori no Ichi
Even today, a large-scale Tori no Ichi festival is held at Washi Shrine in Asakusa, Taito Ward, and is a popular event attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Hanazono Shrine near Shinjuku’s Kabukicho neighborhood also hosts a grand Tori-no-Ichi festival, filling the grounds with rakes and food stalls.
Today’s rakes are extravagant and decorated with a variety of wishes, including not only business prosperity but also family harmony and good health.
As in Hiroshige’s time, the sight of people taking home rakes is a seasonal tradition at the end of the year.
■ Recommended Tourist Guide Points
- Combine with a visit to Asakusa
By visiting the Tori-no-Ichi festival site along with Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, you can enjoy the faith and excitement that have continued since the Edo period all at once. - Experience the Rake Market
We recommend purchasing a rake.
The unique ceremony of concluding with a ‘tejime’ (hand clapping) after haggling is a very immersive experience. - Recreating Edo Culture
Wrapped in the lights of paper lanterns and food stalls at night, Tori-no-Ichi is a living cultural asset that conveys the atmosphere of the Edo period to the present day.
