西のえびす、東の酉の市 Ebisu in the West, Tori-no-Ichi in the East
2026-11-09
西のえびす、東の酉の市
Ebisu in the West, Tori-no-Ichi in the East
Ebisu in the West, Tori-no-Ichi in the East
Yesterday, November 7, was Tori-no-Hi (酉の日), the Day of the Rooster, celebrated with traditional Tori-no-Ichi festivals in eastern Japan.
At Tokyo’s famous Ōtori Shrine (鷲神社) in Asakusa, people gather to purchase colorful kumade (熊手), decorative bamboo rakes believed to bring good fortune and business prosperity.
In western Japan, people turn to Ebisu, the god of commerce and prosperity. Different traditions, but the same wish: success in business.
A kumade symbolizes gathering good fortune, just as a rake gathers fallen leaves.
But here is the Japanese wisdom behind this tradition.
Fortune does not come simply from buying a good-luck charm.
Success comes from hard work, preparation, persistence, and doing everything within your power.
Yet even after you have done everything possible, there are things beyond your control.
That is when a little luck can make a difference.
A good-luck charm is not a substitute for effort. It is a reminder that after giving your best, every little bit of help is welcome.
Do everything you can. Then welcome a little good fortune.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..