Is this colorful or what?
These are the various Kuma-de (熊手), decorative rakes, which is said to "rake in" wealth and good fortune. Things that are known to bring luck in Japan, like cranes and face masks, are glued on to the rakes for people to place in their stores or houses.
They better bring in good fortune because the Kuma-de actually cost a fortune. Anything from 3,000 yen (smallest Kuma-de) to 100,000 yen (largest Kuma-de, bigger than the ones in the photo above.) is sold in these stalls during this festival.
There were many people roaming the stalls and it was definitely fun to see. Although I didn't buy one for myself, I probably will if I ever start my own boutique or some other retail, just for luck!
What do you think about having something like this in your shop or entrance hall?
i love all things colorful dear
ReplyDeleteand if brings luck! heck, why not! ^0^
beautifully photographed Kaori.
anyways, just read your previous post, sorry to hear about your Grandpa.
Life is certainly unpredictable, but i hope all is well with you.
My grandpa also passed away this October, already in his 90's though...
I am most definitely buying masks for my two rakes today.
ReplyDeleteColorful is a good word here.
ReplyDeleteI wear a circle of cranes and it has provided me with good luck indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt would be of great joy to have some colorful mask. Thank you for this nice journey. Please have a good Tuesday.
At first I thought the photos were of the boutique where Shinjuku Tiger Mask buys his clothes. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteThe rakes like those you photographed have an instant effect in making shops appear prosperous. Hey, I feel prosperous just looking at them. Thanks.
Love, love, love that photo, and the information. Fabulous
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think I need one!
ReplyDeleteI like anything colorful, so the first picture makes me happy just looking at it!
ReplyDeleteawesome. I love it.
ReplyDelete