The rooster is the tenth symbol in the Japanese zodiac. In Japanese, it is often called tori, and it is associated with gain and business fortune. Days of the rooster occur every 12 days in November and generally, the first day of the Tori is most important. The Tori -no-Ichi is a fair, continuing from the Edo period, held on these days of the Rooster at Temple of Tori (Juzaisan Chokoku-ji) in Asakusa. People come here to pray for good fortune, good business and health. During the fair stalls sell Kumakade rakes, good-luck rakes made of bamboo and decorate with masks and koban (old gold coins), popular to bring prosperity in business. People usually change for a bigger bamboo rake year by year.
The Temple of Chokoku was established in 1630, during the Edo Period. In 1868 one part of the Chokoku-ji became Otori Shrine, because of a government ordinance that decided to separate Shintoism from Buddhism. The Temple is dedicated to Nichiren, the Buddhist priest, and enshrines the statue of Washimyoken Bodhisattva, also known as Otori-sama. The Statue stands on the back of an eagle, and it's reputed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
