Setsubun Supplies

Setsubun came and went last week. Unluckily for me, I was not able to catch any festivities this year.

However, I did spot this display at my local market down the street from my house.　The hiragana reads hiiragi (ひいらぎ) or holly in English. According to the Wikipedia entry, sardine heads and holly leaves are placed on entrances to Japanese homes to keep bad spirits from enter.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

More Azabu Juban Banners

I really enjoy the banners that change with the seasons and holidays in Azabu Juban. Often when I am walking though this part of Tokyo, I take a photo of the current banner. The artists or artists tasked with producing these are very talented. Here a few from earlier this year.

The first is for hinamatsuri or girls day, and the second is for setsubun.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/5.6 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Setsubun Oni! (or where are my beans)

I should have posted this before Setsubun, but I have been neglecting this blog lately (bad blogger... BAD!). Oh well, while I was in Tokyo Station, there was this large Oni (Demon or Ogre) with glowing red eyes standing guard just outside the wickets. Quick, where are my beans!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.0, ISO 400, 1/640 sec.

Good Form

Setsubun is on 3 February, and the family spent the day at Zojoji Temple near the Tokyo Tower. We missed getting to the stage to see the first round of tarento, oni and mame throwing. By the time we got close enough to the stage, the oni were driven away and the mame throwing was almost over. I'm sure there must have been only the second or third tier tarento remaining. This lovely lady in a kimono must be some Japanese tarento. She had great form throwing out treats.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f4.0, ISO 200, 1/2000 sec.

Nikon D700 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f4.0, ISO 200, 1/2000 sec.

Banners in the Juban

The banners on the posts in Azabu Juban frequently change with the seasons. They all feature a little girl and a cat who are usually dressed up to go with the theme of the banner. The first in this post one was taken in 2010 and the banner commemorates setsubun.

The new year banner features the seven lucky gods.

In late February and early March the banners featured a stylized hina doll set.

The final one for this post doesn't seem to feature a holiday or season. It was taken the day after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.

Setsubun

Setsubun is this coming week.  At the same toy shop that I saw the Nanoblocks, I saw these Oni masks. These are definitely pricey at ¥900!  Oh well, this shop is in Azabu Juban.