Questions I could not find answers to

[Chankosan 0]

In preparing for my month-long stay in Tokyo in May, I have run up against two pesky questions that I was hoping someone here might be able to answer. Thanks in advance!

QUESTION #1

On 2-3-09 Jonosuke wrote:

"There is a shrine located in Ryogoku called Nomi No Sukune Shrine. Kyokai officials, Judging Group heads and Judging member from each Ichimon and Chaya managers gather at the shrine after every Tokyo Basho's Torikumi Arranging Committee meeting to have a Shinto ceremony officiated by the main Izumo Shrine priest."

I have read that this ceremony occurs the Friday before the basho, which would be May 4 for Natsu. Is this a private or public ceremony? And, if public, when does it start?

QUESTION #2

The Friday parade that starts the Sanja Matsuri (Daigyoretsu) goes down Yanagi Dori and Nakamise Dori to Asakusa Shrine. I would like to view the parade on Yanagi Dori but I cannot for the life of me find a map that shows where that street is located.

Is this an east-west or north-south street? What major street does it parallel and how many blocks away is it? Is there a landmark on the street that would fix its location?

[Mark.Buckton 68]

the shrine is not big, and it is essentially an open-air location so I would imagine it is possible to watch from a distance. No idea when it starts - ask the staff in the museum a day or two earlier, they will tell you.

Q2 is a little confusing - Asakusa Shrine is next to Senso-ji at the head of Nakamise. The 3 mikoshi are kept in the lock-up just outside the shrine gates. Are you referring to the smaller, local area mikoshi that are paraded around the temple grounds?

FWIW - Yanagi-dori　ー copy paste this -柳通り浅草 and you will see a lot of reference to the location - behind the main shrine/temple as you approach from Nakamise and the road running down the side of 5656 rakugo theatre it appears.

But with Sanja - just go with the flow and follow the crowds. Too much planning takes the fun out of what Asakusa is all about.