|
Japanese Culture and Social Customs
Part 10 |
|
 Do you know much about bamboo rakes that have been used as
agricultural implements in Japan since the early days? Sometimes you can
see the scenes of people using these bamboo rakes to rake up grains or
fallen leaves in daily life. These rakes are tools that are shaped like a
hand with a handle and usually made of bamboo. These are called eKumadef
which means bear claws or a hand of a bear. Rakes were first sold in the
courtyard of shrines on festival days. The rakes of shrines that worship
gods of business prosperity were especially popular. Many people began to
say gwe can make money with rakesh. After that, in the Edo Period
(1600-1867), rakes began to be decorated with lucky items such as masks of
lucky gods, replicas of gold coins, seven gods (Shichi-Fuku-Jin) and
miniature treasure ships (Takarabune). These decorated rakes began to be
known as good luck charms.  On the days of the rooster in November (Japanese calendar), the Rooster
Market (Tori -no-Ichi Festival) is open at shrines all over Japan, and
rakes are sold at these places every year. Rooster, etorif has a lucky
sound in Japanese. It means raking in or gathering in good fortune. The
biggest festival is held at the Ohtori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo, where
more than 200 stalls are set up lining innumerable rakes of different
shapes and sizes made by kumade- craftsmen throughout Japan. Tens of
thousands of visitors come to these festivals and many seek for rakes to
be able to see the New Year in. Restaurant owners often display rakes
inside their restaurant to pray for greater prosperity in the Kanto area.
In the previous issue (No.159), we introduced raccoon dogs (Tanuki) as
good business symbols in this column. Statues of Tanuki are sometimes also
seen holding on to a Kumade. This is so that the raccoons can gather in
gold coins with these rakes. |
|
 |
 |
|
@ |
|