The annual Toka Ebisu festival at Nishinomiya Shrine will be held again this year.
One event that has been especially popular in recent years is the “Kaimon Shinji Fukuotoko Erabi” race, held from 6:00 a.m. on the 10th, where participants run to make their first shrine visit.
This ritual is unique to Nishinomiya Shrine and is said to have arisen naturally during the Edo period.
More details here↓
Nishinomiya Shrine Official Website
The first-, second-, and third-place finishers are chosen as Fukuotoko (Lucky Men) and receive prizes.
The prizes are as follows↓
Ichiban Fuku (First Lucky Man): Certificate, large wooden carving of Ebisu, additional prizes: 1 bale of Ebessan rice (60 kg), 4-to barrel of sake (72 L), one year’s supply of Yebisu Beer, special happi coat
Niban Fuku (Second Lucky Man): Certificate, small wooden carving of Ebisu, additional prizes: 1 bale of Ebessan rice (60 kg), six months’ supply of Yebisu Beer, special happi coat
Sanban Fuku (Third Lucky Man): Certificate, golden Ebisu and Daikoku figurines, additional prizes: Hakkitai sea bream, three months’ supply of Yebisu Beer, special happi coat
It’s also a well-known story that while the first and second Lucky Men receive wooden Ebessan figures, the third Lucky Man gets the more luxurious golden Ebessan figure.
In addition to these prizes, since 2018, winners have also received “Ebisu Financier” from Henri Charpentier, a company headquartered in Nishinomiya.
Here it is↓
(Source: PR TIMES)
It’s a slightly unusual baked sweet made by adding Dainagon azuki beans to financiers, one of Henri Charpentier’s signature products.
Dainagon azuki beans are considered auspicious because they do not split open when boiled.
Incidentally, “financier” means “wealthy person,” so it seems like an especially lucky treat when wishing for business prosperity.
During the Toka Ebisu period, the Ebisu Financiers are presented to the Fukuotoko and also sold within the shrine grounds.
Since you can buy the same treats as the Lucky Men receive, you might just be able to share in their good fortune.
