Chiba-Tokyo Art & Culture Explorers

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Located in Ichikawa & Funabashi, not far from Tokyo, Hokkekyo-ji temple has one of the finest displays of Ohina dolls in the Kanto area!
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We'll walk up along the "sando", (sacred road) to the temple, past traditional Japanese-sweets, gift, flower shops, vendors of crackers & other traditional goodies we may view & purchase. (Great stuff!)
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This historic 900-year old temple complex with gorgeous buildings is set in a beautiful valley filled with plum, cherry, peach & other flowering trees, such as early blooming Sakura!
The sky may be very blue, the air cool & very fresh at Nakayama!
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We'll explore the ancient temple grounds, see the amazing Ohina displays, then hike up to the wonderful, "Inner" temple, where "Saint" Nichiren-shonin took refuge from his enemies. There is a bronze dragon at the top of tall rocks there who spews water in a dramatic torrent which falls into a pool at the feet of Benzaiten, Goddess of Eloquence!
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Other cultural treasures we'll visit include the Great Buddha, Benten-do, Hokkedo Hall, Five Story Pagoda, Yotsuashi-mon gate and Soshi-do Hall.
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We may also stop to enjoy an antique shop & visit the wonderful Concorde Bakery Shop up the hill from the main temple where we can stop for a late lunch, or snacks and drinks.🥐🍕🍰
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-d1314356?m=55593
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CULTURE & HISTORY:
"Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) festival takes place each year on March 3rd. It is also sometimes called the “Peach Tree Festival” or “Girls’ Day/Girls’ Festival”, a day to pray for the health, happiness, and good luck for
young girls in the family.
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Usually celebrated by setting up a display of exquisite dolls called,
"Ohina-ningyō" (雛人形), dressed in beautiful clothes in the style of the Heian Period (平安時代). These displays range in size from one pair of dolls up to a full set that includes seven shelves, 15 dolls, and numerous accessories. Historically, displaying the full set has been preferable, the space & set up time & the cost (I!ve seen just parts of a set selling for over $1000) many people display only the topmost tier."
At Hokekyo-ji, we'll see several large & unique O-Hina displays!
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The festival has roots in the Hina-nagashi (雛流し) doll floating festival dating from the Heian era. (794 to 1185)
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Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Temple: This temple in Chiba Prefecture belongs to Nichiren sect. Established by the famous monk Nichiren Daishonin, who lived during Kamakura Period (1185-1333) this temple hosts one of Three Kishimojin Goddesses.
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Many people who pray for safe childbirth, delivery from illnesses and business prosperity visit here. Within the temple you can find works by Nichiren such as “Establishing the Correct teaching for the Peace of the Land (Rissho Ankoku Ron)” & “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind (Kanjin-no Honzon-sho)”,which are both designated as National Treasures!
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SEE: http://www.dentalofficesjapan.net/nakayama-hokekyoji-temple.html#hokekyouji-hinamatsuri
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GOOD TO KNOW:
Since both JR SOBU Rapid Blue & SOBU Local Yellow trains stop at JR Ichikawa station, it's convenient for us to meet there, then take a local train to Nakayama. (Ichikawa is just 19 minutes from JR Akihabara station!)
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NOTE: If you prefer to take the Keisei Line from Nippori, Ueno, or Aoto, get off at Keisei-Nakayama Station. We'll meet you there above the station, beside the road around 10:30. (PLEASE let us know in advance IF you'll be arriving at the Keisei Station!)
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NOTE: The Ohina festival is free, but we work VERY hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the very best places, so please give generously!
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There's no set Meetup fee, but your donations of from￥1000 -￥3000 are much appreciated!
(NOTE: If you patronize Starbucks, or Tully's, you can afford￥3000!)
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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Please bring your smile, grippy walking shoes, snacks & a beverage. (Bring a lunch if you like, but we will stop at the wonderful CONCORDE bakery up the hill around 1:00-1:30 for tasty cakes, sandwiches, pizza & more before proceeding to the Dragon Temple!)
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We look forward to seeing you & hope you!ll invite your friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
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Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. 💖

On Wednesday, March 18th, join us for the fabulous: 金龍の舞 Golden Dragon Dance, “Kinryu no mai” plus our very special, "Secrets of Senso-ji & Sumida" tour!
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In Tokyo, Asakusa’s world-famous Senso-ji Temple was founded in the mid-7th century, after the miraculous discovery of a solid gold statue of the goddess Kannon which was found in two brother's nets who were fishing in the nearby Sumida River!
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Although damaged during the Pacific War, the impressive gold and vermillion temple standing today was reconstructed in 1958. To commemorate its rebuilding, the temple authorities created an event that became a tradition which continues today: it is the Golden Dragon Dance or “Kinryu no mai”.
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Why a Golden Dragon?
All Buddhist temples have an official name and it is always “---something-mountain”. Sensoji’s name is “Kinryu-zan” or “Golden Dragon Mountain” and this is where the dancing serpent comes from.
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The story is that one night, when the temple was founded, a mountain rose from the ground, KANNON (the deity worshiped in it) took the form of a golden dragon, swooped from the skies & in one night created a forest of one thousand pines, an image symbolic of abundance, prosperity & longevity!
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The dragon itself is an enormous puppet (18 meters/60 feet in length and weighing 88 kilos/194 pounds operated by 8 people. An important part of the dance is a ninth dancer who holds a golden lotus flower (symbolizing Buddhist teachings) that the dragon seemingly attacks but actually wants to protect.
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Considering how hard it is to manipulate this heavy beast, the agility of the dancers is quite remarkable!
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PROGRAM: We'll start by visiting the remarkable Asakusa Tourist Center, a fine work of modern architecture with a distinctive Japanese feeling.
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From the top floor we can have a terrific view of the surrounding area, including looking out over the nearby Sumida River & the giant Sensoji Temple-Complex. This establishment is a great source of information, classes, films & lectures too, so explore it when you can!
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Then, we'll wait in place for the Golden Dragon to appear & follow it as it parades towards the 5-story pagoda!
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Before & after the parade I'll give you a very special walking tour of the historic Sensoji temple complex which may include the curious Tanuki temple called,"Chingo-Do", the ancient & beautiful Asakusa-jinja Shinto shrine, plus numerous other fascinating monuments, smaller temples & local points of interest, such as Mimeguri-jinja, Todai-ji Temple, Ushijima-jinja, the famous Asahi Beer Hall & MORE!
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(I'll possibly also guide you to Matsuchiyama Shoten, a lovely temple where one offers a giant radish to help in, "purifying our base desires", which is the actual place where the Golden Dragon was first said to have appeared, as well as other temples & shrines near the Sumida River!)
http://www.matsuchiyama.jp/english.html
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Brings some snacks & your beverage, & after the tour, we may enjoy the food & drinks available nearby!
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You don't need to stay after the first parade & tour, but if you have time, you could see the dragon dance twice on this day, which gives us more chances to enjoy & photograph this remarkable event!
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SO, WHY DON'T WE ALL GO?
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Getting there:
From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa.
From Shinjuku Station: Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa.
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NOTE: The Temple festival is FREE, but we work hard to plan interesting events and to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
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Suggested: Students, Seniors or underemployed:￥1000-2000.
(Patrons of Starbucks or Tully's can pay: ￥3000-￥5000)
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KIDS ARE WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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This is a non-smoking meetup. If you must smoke, please do so only in proper smoking areas.
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Your comments and suggestions for future meetups are always welcome!

Thanks!
Your Meetup organizer, Kerry
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