TOMO 
The second stop on the Asakusa Shichifukujin pilgrimage is the Washi Shrine, also known as “Otorisama.” It’s dedicated to Jurojin, the god of longevity and prosperity. This shrine is believed to bring good fortune, success in business, and new opportunities.
In Asakusa, there’s a lively annual festival held on the Rooster Day (according to the Chinese zodiac), which typically falls in November. This festival is known as the “Kumade-Ichi.” Kumade refers to bamboo rakes adorned with various decorations, symbolizing the gathering of happiness. These ornate rakes are sold during the festival and are popular decorations for homes and businesses, including famous places like JR Ueno Station and Sanrio Puroland.
Traditionally, people start with small kumade and gradually buy larger ones each year, with larger ones being more expensive and heavier. The Kumade-Ichi runs for 24 hours, starting at midnight, and features numerous stalls and vendors throughout the Asakusa area. It’s a fantastic and lively event, and I’ve personally enjoyed going after work.
As for the explanation of the Rooster Day: In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) and one of the 10 heavenly stems (1st stem, 2nd stem, 3rd stem, 4th stem, 5th stem, 6th stem, 7th stem, 8th stem, 9th stem, 10th stem). This combination cycles every 60 years, and it’s used to identify specific years with unique characteristics and fortunes. The Rooster Day is determined based on this system, but it varies each year. In 2023, it falls on November 11th and November 23rd.
I participate in this festival every year, and I highly recommend it to others. It’s a fantastic cultural experience!
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3-18-7 Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo