Fuchū Tori-no-Ichi Fair I

Many shrines in Tokyo celebrate Tori-no-Ichi in November — just look at our Shinjuku and Asakusa events. Head to Ōkunitama Shrine in Fuchūto view one of the most impressive and colorful displays.

What happens?

We spoke with the Fuchū Tourism Association and here’s what they shared.

What is Tori-no-Ichi?

Tori-no-Ichi Fair, or Festival of the Rooster, is held every November on the days of the rooster in the Chinese calendar. It happens around every 12 days, therefore twice or three times, depending on the year.

When did it begin?

This yearly tradition has been going on since the Edo period, about 300 years ago. Ootori Shrine used to be worshiped among samurai as the god of longevity in battle, then by merchants and common people as a god of good luck. It is said to have started as the autumn harvest festival, and it gradually changed to a festival wishing for prosperous business and good luck for next year.

What is sold?

Farming utensils used to be sold at this fair. As years went by, sellers started decorating them with lucky charms. Nowadays you can see stalls selling kumade, a decorated bamboo rake that will help people ‘rake in’ wealth and good fortune. Tradition says that each year you should get a slightly bigger, slightly more expensive rake because the bigger the rake, the more fortune it will bring.

What else is there to do?

You can also see Edo no Sato Kagura, a silent drama with the use of masks, performed mainly with the theme of the mythical world of gods.

Schedule

This is the first installment of the Tori-no-Ichi at Ōkunitama Shrine. Check out the other parts: