Why don’t you come to Sensoji temple Hozuki Market, Special Lucky Day?
I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 25 countries. I’ve got the license of the certificate English guide in Japan for 8 years.
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Sensoji temple Hozuki Market, Special Lucky Day
On July 9 and 10, the hozuki stalls decorate the Sensoji temple grounds.
It’s a summer tradition in Asakusa.
Cool dressed vendors call out to visitors selling hozukis.
These two days are called ‘46,000 days’ festival.
A hozuki market is held in conjunction with the festival.
History
Since the Heian period (794-1185), the 18th of every month has been designated as the anniversary of Kannon Buddha.
Since around the middle of the 16th century, a special day called “Kudokubi” (day of merit) has been observed.
A merit day refers to a special day on which worshippers who visit the temple on that day will receive 100 days’ worth of merit, or 1,000 days’ worth of merit, etc.
Different temples and shrines have different merit days.
The days of merit vary from temple to temple.
But currently Sensoji Temple observes one day of merit per month and 12 days of merit per year.
Of these, July 10 is the largest, with 46,000 days of merit.
46000days equivalent to 126 years merit!
It is especially called “46,000 days.”
There are various theories as to the origin of this number.
It is said that one square measure of rice corresponds to 46,000 grains of rice.
And that the number “一升” ( 1800ml) is a combination of “一升” and “一生”.( whole life)
46,000 days is equivalent to approximately 126 years, which is the limit of a person’s life span.
Therefore, it is a day on which a person can obtain a lifetime’s worth of merits.
The 46,000 days festival became a common practice during the Edo period (1603-1867).
9th and 10th July
The temple grounds became crowded with worshippers from the 9th, the day before the festival.
It’s because of the desire to visit the temple before others.
For this reason, both the 9th and the 10th were designated as “open days,”.
This practice has continued to the present day.
Why don’t you enjoy the merit of 46,000 days (126 years) in one day?
You will feel the festive atmosphere and grt the whole life long merit !
I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!
