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20061204-Tokyo
<p>Even though it was December, this orange tree was rife with ripe fruit. </p>
Orange Tree in Asakusa
 <p>For a donation of ¥100 you can get your fortune just outside the shrines at Asakusa. See next image for more information. </p>
Checking Your Luck
 <p>After you donate ¥100 you are supposed to shake the metal box until a stick comes out of a small open in the box. The stick in turn has a number on it (written in Japanese text). That number then is used to get your fortune from the matching numbered drawer (pictured at left). </p>
Sticks For Luck
 <p>I don’t recall what number these symbols signified, but they led me to my drawer and fortune. </p>
Close-Up of Stick of Fortune
<p>Looks all Japanese too me… Fortunately there was an English version on the other side. </p>
And Here Is My Fortune
 <p>My tour guide Junko had never seen anyone get an “Excellent Fortune” fortune before. She says that over 80% of the fortunes are bad ones. </p> <p> Here’s what this one says: </p> <p> “No. 62 Excellent Fortune </p> <p> Trouble and disaster are getting off as time passes by, sign of the fortune is opening and coming to us. Your fame & honor rise all over society. Those old and ancient got renewed then you can get income again. </p> <p> Getting success in life, and wealth, you are real busy and prosperous. </p> <p> *Your request will be granted. *The patient will get well soon. *The lost article will be found. *The person you wait for will come. *Building a new house or removal are both well. *It is good to start a trip. *Both marriage of any kind and new employment are well.” </p>
Excellent Fortune!
 <p>This incredibly ornate roof could be seen from the entrance to the shrines at Asakusa. Anyone know what the metallic thing on the top is? </p>
Ornate Roof at Asakusa
 <p>There are several rituals to be observed before entering the main shrine. First is the use of cleansing smoke from incense, and second is washing your hands. </p>
Entrance to Shrine Area at Asakusa
<p>The big pot is filled with sand in which in turn are stuck smoldering sticks of incense. The smoke chases away evil spirits, as I understand it. </p>
Purifying Smoke at Asakusa Shrine
 <p>The big pot is filled with sand in which in turn are stuck smoldering sticks of incense. </p>
Close-Up of Incense Pot
 <p>It might be a warm December day, but the water you are supposed to cleanse your hands and mouth with is darn cold! I did not do the mouth rinse thing here (but did at a later shrine). </p>
Cleansing Water
 <p>This statue stood above the water fountain from which water to cleanse our hands emanated. </p>
Fountain Head?
<p>Another shot of the fountain. </p>
Cleansing Water Fountain
 <p>And Junko did not rinse her mouth either. </p>
Junko Takes a Turn with Cleansing
 <p>Her hands must have needed extra cleansing. </p>
Junko Cleans a Bit More
 <p>I did not think her hands were that dirty, and how did she stand the cold? </p>
And Even More Cleansing
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