 Most viewed - Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり |
Asakusa: White elephant is usually present during Hanamatsuri. On the day before the Buddha's mother Queen Maya gave birth, she dreamed that a white elephant entered her womb.394 views
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Like most major Buddhist temples, Sensoji temple in Asakusa holds its Hanamatsuri to mark Buddha's birthday on April 8. Hana Matsuri sign at Kaminarimon Gate.280 views
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White elephant and the pagoda at Sensoji temple, Asakusa on Buddha's birthday called Hanamatsuri.240 views
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Sweet tea is poured over a statue of a baby buddha. According to legend, sweet rain (or perfumed water) fell when the Buddha was born.210 views
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They sang a few songs. Their parents toting video camcorders recorded the event.197 views
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Pretty orchid. It had a water capsule at the end of the stem. At the top were buds which later bloomed. This flower lasted me well over a month before it withered.181 views
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About Hanamatsuri in Japanese.173 views
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Asakusa Hana Matsuri 花まつり170 views
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Hanamatsuri sign165 views
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A symbol of Hanamatsuri (literally "flower festival") is the white elephant which is paraded around. This one stands ready at Kaminarimon Gate. It has a baby Buddha statue on top.145 views
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Every April 8, if it's a nice day, I try to visit a different temple in Japan to see Hanamatsuri. This year I decided to see it in Asakusa.126 views
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When the Buddha was born, he walked seven steps and said, "I am my own Lord through Heaven and Earth," and pointed one hand to Heaven and the other to Earth.117 views
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Children from the local kindergarten walk toward Kaminarimon Gate from where they will pull the white elephant.108 views
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In front of Sensoji temple, they held a Hana Matsuri ceremony with the kindergarten kids.105 views
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Ama-cha sweet tea for everyone. 甘茶103 views
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Hanamatsuri at Sensoji temple in Asakusa.100 views
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People crowd around the flower-decorated Hanami-do, the little hall with the baby Buddha.96 views
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The little Hanamatsuri parade went through Nakamise and arrived at Sensoji with the white elephant in tow.96 views
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The flowers were made in Thailand.96 views
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Baby Buddha on the white elephant.95 views
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Sensoji temple was renovating its roof so it is covered with scaffolding (painted with a gold dragon). Out front is the Hanami-do where you can pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha.94 views
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An extra treat was free flowers (orchids). They gave out a large number of these flowers.93 views
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After the ceremony, they served free sweet tea. 甘茶92 views
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People pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha. He points one finger to Heaven. 花御堂90 views
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Inside Sensoji temple was another Hanami-do with a baby Buddha. 花御堂90 views
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90 views
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Kids pour sweet tea over the baby Buddha during the Hanamatsuri ceremony.90 views
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Anyone can pour the sweet tea over the baby Buddha for free.88 views
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