Toka Ebisu is a lively January festival honoring Ebisu, a deity associated with good fortune and business prosperity. It is especially popular in the Kansai region, particularly Osaka. At many shrines, the festival is held from January 9 to 11, with January 10 being the main day. Ebisu is identified with Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto at some shrines, although traditions differ from one shrine to another.
During the festival, visitors receive Fukuzasa (lucky bamboo branches) decorated with small auspicious ornaments. Decorative Kumade (rakes), traditionally associated with gathering good fortune, are also popular.
Every year, I visit a shrine near my home. After I receive a Fukuzasa, a shrine maiden performs a ceremonial dance accompanied by musicians to bless the branch. At some larger shrines, Fukuzasa are prepared in advance and offered to visitors.
The small auspicious ornaments, known as Kiccho or Kodakara, include Awabi no Shi (a symbol of dried abalone), Zenikamasu (a coin sack), Zenibukuro (a money bag), Suehiro (a folding fan), Koban (an oval gold coin), Chogin (a silver ingot), Uchide no Kozuchi (a magic mallet), Daifukucho (an account book), Eboshi (a traditional ceremonial cap), Usu (a mortar), Kome-dawara (a rice bale), and Tai (a sea bream).
Fukuzasa are traditionally displayed in shops and businesses throughout the year. The following January, the previous year’s branch is returned to the shrine and a new one is received. Some people consider it auspicious to choose slightly larger decorations each year, expressing their hopes for growing prosperity.
For me, Toka Ebisu is a familiar and lively part of the New Year.
