Shannon Sensei: Nov 7, 2005

On Sunday I went to Asakusa with some of my students, Etsuko, Akane, and Azusa. They are preparing a presentation on Asakusa, for foreigners, for an English class and were kind to invite me along.
Asakusa is an area in Tokyo where many parts of traditional Japanese culture are easily seen. Traditional foods (especially sweets) and clothes, temples, and rikshaws are some of the area's features.

First, we went to a soba restuarant, Namiki Yabu Soba, where half of the tables are low tables on tatami mats, with cushions to sit on. Whenever you step on a tatami mat, you take of your shoes. I guess my boots weren't the best choice, but it turned out okay. After another enjoyable meal of soba, we headed back toward the gate of the temple. I had to smile as we were passed by many tour buses filled with Westerners, proud of myself for having the opportunity to explore Asakusa with locals, (all three of the girls were born in the area).

There are 3 ancient temples in the area. We went to NANI shrine, which is right next to the subway station and is probably the most popular of the three for tourists. After passing under the gate, there is a long row of shops and stands.

They sell everything from Japanese souveniers, including katanas and a ninja costume for children, to food like yakisoba and assorted meat on sticks(beef, chicken, sausages), to delectible sweets. The girls are focusing on sweets in their presentation of what Asakusa has to offer, so we planned to eat many.

We saw young boys and girls in traditional kimonos (there are male and female styles of this formal wear) and my guides explained to me that 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old boys and girls visit the temple in formal wear as part of a ceremony.

As we got nearer the temple, we walked under another gate, and passed a tower, that is part of the temple, on the left. Walking up to the temple entrance, ahead of us billowed incense smoke, on the right, were boxes filled with fortunes, 100 yen each, which the devotee buy, reads, and the folds and ties onto a small wall of them (like this one inside the temple), and, on the left, shops sold charms for all sorts of good luck.
Inside the temple, it is customary to throw 5 yen over the heads of those in front of you, into a large collection grate in front of the image of Buddha, and then say a prayer.

The space for visitors is wide and open but the shine on the other side of the wall is filled with decoration, offereings, and other devotions to the deity. The wood is dark cherry and ash and while inside the attention is well focused to the shrine. The temple is lit by candles which reflect of the beautiful golden images and sunlight which filters in through open doors and around thick pillars. Though it doesn't seem wanting for light inside, even the misty light of cloudy Tokyo seems bright as you leave.

After we left the temple, our stomachs had settled enough after lunch and the sweets were calling. So the research really got going. The first were mizuame,they are like lolipops which aren't allowed to harden the all way; so they are very chewy. They rest in ice until they are bought. Etsuko and I each chose one with a strawberry inside. The fruit inside is how they get their flavor; the candy outside is just sugar, very sticky, sweet, and delicious!

We also had: agemanju, which is deep fried dough (Etsuko's green one is macha flavored, green tea) with anko (sweet bean paste) inside; ningyoyaki, which are small spongecakes in cute shapes filled with more anko; imokin, sweet potatoes with cinnamon and sweet potato powder on the outside; and dango, soft processed rice balls with sweet black seasame, sweet soy sauce, or other similar flavors on the outside.

We wandered away from the shrine and to the more modern section of Asakusa in search of puricula. The girls wanted to take a few pictures in these booths and then edit them with graphics and text, and I was more than happy to comply.

The end of our outing consisted of relaxing at Starbucks. Yes, within one week's time I managed to patron both of the worldwide giants. I sipped my chai latte and worked on my hiragana (one of the Japanese alphabets) flash cards, while the girls enjoyed thier frappuccinos and lattes and went over their day of research's finding.

Back on the subway, we began our treck back to this side of the city and the whole way they helped my study my flashcards. Thanks again girls for the wonderful day.