October 5

October 5 is the first Day of the Boar in October under the traditional Japanese calendar.

This is a "Nishiki-e", or multi-colored woodblock print, entitled "Gencho Shoko Tojo Ote Geba no Zu" ("Various Daimyo Approaching the Ote Gate of Edo Castle on Foot on the First Boar Day in October") by the artist Yoshu Chikanobu. It is one of the artworks from the print series "Chiyoda no On-omote" ("Scenes Around Chiyoda Palace", from the National Diet Library archives).

Gencho refers to the first Day of the Boar in October. The custom of eating small Mochi rice cakes in the shape of little boars on this day started in the palace in the Heian period (794-1185). The custom since spread to the common people. In the Edo period (1603-1868), lords gathered at Edo castle after dusk for celebration on this day. The print shows lords arriving at the castle as they pass the big bonfire that is lit in front of Ote gate for the occasion.