Enjoy Exploring Japanese History!

On Sunday, September 20th, let's explore quiet & peaceful backstreets to see some curious historical artifacts, temples & shrines between Ebisu & Shibuya, such as a few: "Out Of Place Artifacts" I've discovered by my research.
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Our destination is beautiful KONNO HACHMAN Shrine, where the annual festival will be taking place, featuring music, food, & wondeful ancient KAGURA ceremonial dances, performed to entertain the KAMI, or gods of the shrine. Around 2:30 we'll walk to central Shibuya where dozens of MIKOSHI hand-carried portable Shinto shrines will assemble around 3pm!
https://www.konno-hachimangu.jp/index_en.html
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(PLEASE wear comfortable shoes & bring a lunch or snacks!)
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Before walking to Konno Hachiman Shrine, we'll take an "al-fresco" picnic lunch break before exploring lovely Shibuya Hikawa-jinja, which was one of the big 3 sacred shrines hosting Sumo tournaments during the Edo-Period!
**NEXT: A groundbreaking exhibition at the Kokogakuin University Museum: https://museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/en/**
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"Centenary of Sugihara Shōzō’s Passing Introduction to Japanese Sword Studies"
"The Japanese sword, a product of artisanry that is representative of Japan, is believed to have originated around the 10th century in the middle of the Heian period (794-1185). Research into the origins and evolution of Japanese swords encompasses an accumulation of knowledge dating to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), with treatises on swords recording the lineages, ranks & styles of swordsmiths. Further, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573 - 1600), there arose a custom of appreciating fine swords as “celebrated objects”, perhaps under the influence of the connoisseurship surrounding tea utensils. Gift exchanges of such famous swords would play a role in shaping the order of samurai society. Since modern times, as they have ceased to function as weapons due to the Haitōrei (Sword Abolishment Edict), swords have been reclassified as works of art & sword research incorporating empirical historical methodology has thrived. Furthermore, from the perspectives of archaeology and cultural heritage, interdisciplinary research is being conducted in order to clarify the origins of Japanese swords and the reality of the techniques used to produce them."
THIS IS A SUPERB MUSEUM & THE EXHIBITION IS FREE!
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(Kokogakuin University is one of the most important schools in the nation, especially in promoting and preserving the ancient traditions of Shinto, and had a special connection with Japan's venerable Imperial Family.)
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Before & after viewing the exhibitions, to maximize our joy of living in Japan, we'll be stopping by a number of shrines, monuments, "Power Spots" & a couple of unique museums in the Ebisu-Shibuya Area, including one located near where SHIBUYA CASTLE once stood, above the river!
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Places we might visit include:

• Ebisu-jinja Shinto Shrine
• Koshin Hashikuyo Monument
• Amida-Sekkanbutsu
• Shitsusen-ji Temple
• Hokiichi Hanawa Historical Museum
• Yakuoin Hosen-ji Temple
• Shibuya Hikawa-jinja
• Kokugakuin University Museum
• Konno Hachiman Shrine

This will be a great chance to stretch our legs & socialize while discovering some of the superb artistic, cultural, historical & natural treasures of this, "off-the-beaten-path" area that most people never get a chance to see!
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There are lovely neighborhood temples & shrines with superb gardens & a green park by the jinja where we can eat our picnic lunches, so bring what you need & maybe something to share. Please wear comfortable shoes, as we'll be walking for a while with rest-stops.
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There's no set Meetup fee, but we work VERY hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously...
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Suggested donation: Student or unemployed:￥1000,
others, from: ￥2000 to ￥4000.
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It's your choice!
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KIDS are WELCOME & FREE to join with a parent!
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Your Meetup organizer, Kerry Drew
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P.S. THIS WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!
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JAPANESE FESTIVAL, GARDEN & ART LOVERS, THIS WILL BE GREAT!
It's the 24th Annual O-Edo Mikoshi Competition Matsuri / Festival!
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12 Mikoshi carry teams & finely decorated portable shrines from around the Kanto area will be joining this contest. Competing teams will show their strength & skill in handling gorgeous shrines in which Shinto gods or "Kami" are carried during Omatsuri (Shinto festivals) throughout Japan!
The Mikoshi Matsuri will also feature singing, local celebrities, food stalls & much more!
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This may be like the GRAND PRIX, or OLYMPICS of MIKOSHI contests!
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Before attending the great Oedo Mikoshi Festival, let's get acquainted while taking a refreshing stroll through Kiyosumi Gardents & along the paths of historic Fukagawa!
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In Tokyo's TOP traditional, Edo-Period garden, KIYOSUMI TEIEN, the beauty of the trees & stones, koi, ducks & other wildlife may inspire and delight you!
(Admission for adults is just 150-en!
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/kiyosumi/
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Also, at the awesome Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Arts:
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TADA MINAMI'S, "STILL SHIMMERING"
**https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en/exhibitions/Tada-Minami/**
"The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is pleased to present a major solo exhibition of TADA Minami (1924–2014), a leading abstract artist whose work spans sculpture, design, and architecture in postwar Japan."
IT'S NOT A PART OF THE MEETUP, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS EXHIBIT SINCE IT'S NEAR THE MIKOSHI EVENT.
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(We may enjoy exploring the public (unpaid) areas of this amazing museum during some Mikoshi event breaks!)
Combining outdoor adventures & indoor fun, this event is a great opportunity to meet new friends & improve your language skills in a friendly, relaxed & enjoyable environment!
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The Kiba-Kiyosumi area isn't well known to many outsiders, (more peaceful than bustling Tokyo) yet it's rich in historical sites, with numerous parks, gardens, temples, museums and vintage neighborhood shops of all kinds!
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KIBA PARK is a big, gorgeous, green space in Koto Ward, which is also home to "MOCA", the superb, modernistic Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art!
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We'll visit the Historical Landmark & grave of renowned JapaneseExplorer Rinzo Mamiya, & stroll through lovely Fukutomi-gawa Park on our way to the Mikoshi Festival.
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O-Edo Mikoshi Competition organizer: Japan Mikoshi Association
Participating mikoshi groups:
Omiya Hyoyukai, Lion's Club, Gifu Mutsumi,
Yoshikawa Yasaka Matsuri Seinenkai, Chiba Higashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Group, Matsuri Mamoru Rengo, Sakura Rengo Mikoshi Koukoukai, Kanto Nakakomikai, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation League, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation Federation, and the Seven Mikoshi Fellowship!
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The contest schedule:
11:00 Opening Ceremony
11:20-12:20 Oedo Mikoshi Contest (12 portable shrines)
12:20-15:20 Various entertainment & song shows (entertainment stage)
14:30-15:30 United parade of portable shrines
15:30-15:55 Oedo Mikoshi Contest Awards
16:00 End of event
Edo traditional culture exhibition booths are open from 11:00 to 16:00.
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The event will be cancelled in case of seriously RAINY weather.
(NOTE: (Our Meetup will end at 3:30pm, but you're welcome to stay until the very end)
WHERE AND WHEN?
Meet us outside at the ->A3 exit of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station* at 9:30AM!*
(Accessible by both Tokyo Metro Hanzomon & Tokyo Metro Oedo Lines.)
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The Oedo Mikoshi Contest: FREE ADMISSION
Admission to Kiyosumi Gardens, Adults: ￥150, Seniors: ￥70
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We work hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
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We suggest: Students, Seniors, Underemployed:￥500-1000, others please pay:￥2000-￥3000, if you can!
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This is an all-ages Meetup, so kids are FREE, but babes-in arms are discouraged due to possible noise & other factors. (Sorry!)
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YOU MAY BRING A GUEST OR TWO, but we'd prefer to have your friends join our group as regular members!
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THIS MEETUP WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!!
Thanks, KERRY D. 😎