The New Year's “Honorable Ebisu of Shounan” Festival at the Hiratsuka Mishima Temple/Hiratsuka January 16, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201160018/

Atop a specially constructed stage, wrapped sweets are handed out to shrine visitors=Hiratsuka Mishima Temple

The annual New Year's Ebisu Festival was held on the 15th, at the Hiratsuka Temple of Yuhigaoka, Hiratsuka city. Three thousand people visited this year’s event, requesting prosperous business for 2012.

At the temple festival, fisherman and businessmen who are believers in the "Honorable Ebisu of Shounan" gathered. For worshippers looking to buy such lucky items as bamboo leaves (which can be affixed to ties) and rice bags, they were being freely distributed.

Inside the temple grounds, a special stage was set up. At both 2:00 and 5:00PM, men and women in charge of distributing fortune held "Lucky Wrappings" events. "Holding these bamboo leaves will make my business prosper!" the crowd shouted together. In the pursuit of free candy, the crowd was seemingly in competition on who could outstretch their arms the furthest.

Original text:

「湘南のえびす様」の平塚三嶋神社で新春えびすまつり/平塚

2012年1月16日

特設舞台からまかれるお菓子に手を伸ばす参拝客＝平塚三嶋神社

平塚市夕陽ケ丘の平塚三嶋神社で15日、恒例の「新春えびすまつり」が開催され、約３千人が今年一年の商売繁盛を願って訪れた。

同神社の祭神は「湘南のえびす様」とも呼ばれ、漁業者や商業者らの信仰を集めている。参拝客は、無料で配られた開運の福笹に付けるタイや福俵などの縁起物を買い求めた。

境内に設けられた特設舞台では、午後２時と５時の２回、福男や福女による「開運福まき」が行われた。「商売繁盛で笹もって来い」の掛け声とともに景品の当たるお菓子がまかれると、参拝客は競うように手を伸ばしていた。