Japanese traditions, Hozuki Ichi

Today, on July 10th, at the Senso-ji Temple from Asakusa, Tokyo, takes place Yonman-rokusen-nichi, the Day of 46000 Blessings. According to an old belief, if you pray at the temple on this day, the prayer will be the equivalent of 46000 days of prayers.
Why this number? A legend says that after defeated in the battle of Ishibashiyama, Minamoto Yoritomo camped his troops at the Senso-ji Temple on July 10th and the number of the soldiers was 46000. There are other versions too, but to me this one seems the most plausible...

Also on July 9 and 10, at Senso-ji takes place Hozuki Ichi, the Chinese Lantern Plant Fair. The Hozuki plants sold here are cultivated in Shikabone-cho in Edogawa and are really wonderful. If you're a flower lover, it's a small paradise.
Over 100 stalls are selling Hozuki, and the prices are quite the same, so the buying decision is more influenced by the sellers charm... Like the lovely lady from this picture, they are amazingly good with the customers.

I visited this fair two years ago and I remember that I really wanted to take one of those beautiful pots home... but the transportation would have been almost impossible. I still bought a few flowers though...