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Kyoto-Ebisu Shrine or Toka Ebisu Shrine is one of the three biggest shrines in Japan and these shrines are called Ebisu. The two other Ebisu shrines are Nishinomiya Ebisu Shrine and Osaka Imamiya Ebisu Shrine. Toka Ebisu Shrine is commonly called Ebessan, and its divine grace is prosperity in business. One of the major deities that the Japanese believe in, Ebisu presides over wealth. He is also one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune. Toka Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to deity Hatsu Ebisu also known as Toka Ebisu. Toka Ebisu Festival is held each year from January 8th to 12th. During the festival, visitors visit to the shrine and receive bamboo grass, a straw bag, a bamboo rake, a charm, an amulet, a gold coin and other special good luck items, these are all very precious to the Japanese people. The bamboo grass has straight, elastic trunk and leaves. The leaves do not wither quickly and is a symbol of success in business. One important part of Toka Ebisu Festival is kagura (sacred Shinto music and dance), which is held all night. Nearly a million people congregate on the Shrine premises during the festival. You can buy lucky bamboo fronds from the shrine maidens, which are loaded with lucky charms and coin talismans. The celebration also has colorful palanquins, which bear geisha (Japanese hostesses) and other celebrities through the streets, which are lit with lanterns.
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