The Kawaguchi Asama Shrine near Mount Fuji is one of about 1,300 “Asama” shrines around Japan which honor Mount Fuji and Konohanasakuya-hime, the cherry blossom princess and goddess of volcanoes. This large taiko drum is used in ritual drum performances, elaborate dances and festivals such as Daidai Mikagura, which are believed to calm the volcano’s eruptions. The sharp, swirling symbol in the center is a “mitsudomoe,” a common design with a set of three comma-like “tomoe” shapes arranged in a circle.

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