Hagoita-ichi

A year-end market with scenes from the Edo period

Every year, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of December, Hagiita-ichi is held on the grounds of Sensoji in Asakusa. The year-end market in Edo is the oldest in Asakusa and is said to be around 1659. In the middle of the Edo era, Hagoita depicting popular Kabuki actors was lined up on the market.　People competed and bought the favorite actor’s hagoita, which was extremely popular. A long time ago, Hagoita-ichi was set up in various parts of Tokyo at the end of the year, and women sought their favorite actor’s Hagoita, and hurriedly returned home. Even today, on the day of “Hagoitaita-ichi”, Nakamise Street in Asakusa is a market that many people visit.