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Winter (October - December)

October
According to tradition, October is the month ‘where the gods are away’. It was believed that during this month, the deities of Japan would depart to the region of Izumo and no festivals would be held in the shrines within the city of Edo. Because of this, people went out and enjoyed viewing the colorful autumn leaves instead, which was one of the most beloved traditions during the season. Kaianji in Shinagawa was acclaimed for being the best spot to enjoy the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves and was often drawn in paintings.

Ise Calendar Selection. Dedication of the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Yaburu, Ebisu-ko Festival in Kanna-zuki (the tenth month of the lunar calendar) Collection of Inscriptions on the middle section of Calendars (Isegoyomi Mitate Jūnichoku Yaburu Kanna-zuki Ebisukō Koyomi Chūdan Dukushi) Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III Around 1847 - 1848 (Kōka 4 - Kaei 1)
Thirty-six Views of Pride of Edo - tinged autumn leaves in the Kaian-ji Temple
(Edo Jiman Sanjūrokkyō Kaian-ji no Momiji) Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III and Utagawa Hiroshige II
1864 (Genji 1)

November
At dawn on the first day of November, a sound of drums was made in order to notify the people of the beginning of Kaomise (the showing of faces). This tradition of Kaomise was also called Shibai-shōgatsu (new year drama), as the three authorized theaters of Edo would feature their new cast and put on new kabuki performances of the year. Lovers of kabuki would line up outside theaters on the final night of October.

Picture of shichigosan, a gala day for children of three, five and seven years of age (Shichi-go-san Iwai no Zu)
Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III Around 1844 - 1848 (Kōka Period)
The Scene of Kaomise Performance by Great Actors (Ichiyō no akebono kogane no shimadai)
Around 1863 (Bunkyū 3)

December
People began to be in a hurry in many ways in December, as the end of that year is just around the corner. A market called Toshinoichi (‘the year-end market’) was held at the end of each year and it is still held today. There was a big crowd of people who went to the market to purchase goods to be consumed for the coming year.

Thirty-six Views of the Pride of Edo - Tori no ichi, a fair held on the day of Rooster, a Famous Rake (Edo Jiman Sanjūrokkyō Tori no Chō Meibutsu Kumade) Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III and Utagawa Hiroshige II 1864 (Genji 1)
Winter Accommodation, Seasonal Rite of Cleaning Up (Fuyu no Shuku Karei no Susuhaki)
Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III 1855 (Ansei 2)
Thirty-six Views of the Pride of Edo- Asakusa - year-end fair
(Edo Jiman Sanjūrokkyō Asakusa Toshi no Ichi)
Painted by Utagawa Toyokuni III and Utagawa Hiroshige II 1864 (Genji 1)

* To view more explanation, please click the each image.


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