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Asakusa is a big district of Tokyo, situated to the east from
Ueno, on the bank of the Sumida River. Asakusa is famous for
the countless shops, cinemas, nightclubs and recreation centers.
The historical center of the district is Sensoji Temple, also
known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. It is the oldest buddhistic
temple in Tokyo.
According to the legend, in 628 two brothers were fishing
in the Sumida River and caught the statue of Kannon, the goddess
of mercy. They tried to put the statue back into the river
but each time it returned to them. The village headman decided
that it was a divine sign and 17 years later the temple to
Kannon was built. During the centuries, the temple was reconstructed
and enlarged more than once. Today Kannon ensemble consists
of 10 buildings and occupies quite a big territory. Modern
main temple and standing nearby five-tiered pagoda are the
exact copies of the buildings destroyed during the air-raids
of World War II. Inside the temple, where mysterious semi-darkness
reigns, lavishly decorated altar Gokudzi with the statue of
the goddess shines. Kannon is one of the most respected and
loved goddess of Buddhist pantheon. She symbolizes boundless
kindness and mercy towards all suffering. Three main gates
- Kaminarimon, Nitemmon and Hodzomon - also have been recently
restored. The main gate Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is decorated
with huge red lantern that has become the symbol of the temple.
On the right, the God of the Wind, and on the left, the God
of Thunder, guard the entrance to the temple.
The Nakamise Street, leading from Kaminarimon Gate to the
main hall of Sensoji Temple, is especially popular with the
tourists. There a variety of shops of all kinds are situated.
Even the name of the street is translated as "among the
shops". Here one can buy everything from traditional
Japanese souvenirs to confectionary and spicery.
Asakusa district is famous for numerous festivals and celebrations
that are regularly held there. Sanja-Matsuri, the festival
of Sensoji Temple, is the most important among them. As well
as overwhelming majority of traditional celebrations, it is
a festive procession along the streets, accompanied by singing
and dancing. In July, in Asakusa the annual festival of Japanese
flowers Hozuki-ichi is held. In the middle of December, around
the temple and in its premises there is grandiose fair of
Japanese arts and crafts - Hagoita-ichi.
Hagoita is a traditional colorful wooden racket that is used
in hanetsuki (traditional Japanese New Year's game, something
like badminton). Originally, hagoitas were rather simple but
since the Edo period they have been lavishly ornamented and
used as a decoration or present. Famous kabuki actors and
beautiful noble Edo women are traditionally painted on hagoitas
but nowadays you can buy hagoitas with the portraits of popular
singers and sportsmen. In November, in Asakusa a relatively
new, but already very popular holiday Tokyo Jidai Matsuri
commemorating the history of Tokyo and Edo culture is celebrated.
The colorful procession proceeds along the streets around
Sensoji Temple, representing the famous plots from the city
history. But the most popular festival is a summer parade
of fireworks on the Sumida River. Annually about one million
people come to enjoy the unforgettable enchanting spectacle.
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