Ohtori Shrine gate

One of the oldest and largest fairs for handcrafted traditional good luck charms takes place in November, at the Ohtori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo. Called Tori-no-Ichi, it is a fair with an impressive history, for it was first held about 250 years ago and the tradition continues to the present days.

As you can see in the photo, on the left of the gate, here you can find kumade, bamboo rakes decorated with a large collection of auspicious items. The tradition says that, since each item is a good luck charm by itself, when put together on the kumade, they "rake in the good luck"...