Enjoy:🔆金龍の舞 Splendid 🐲 GOLDEN DRAGON DANCE & "SECRETS of SUMIDA" Tour!

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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