Japanize (Japanese Culture Experience)

 
 
 

The great Shishi (lion-dog) Taisai festival which greets the coming of summer is held every year by Namiyoke Inari Shinto shrine in Tsukiji!
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(Tsukiji is home to the world's most famous seafood market!)
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• Several HUGE & beautiful heads of Shishi (Sacred lion-Dogs) were created in the 1800's by master artisans using carved wood, leather, lacquer, iron, bronze & gold, will be paraded with music & dance featuring beautiful dressed (often half-naked) men and woman!
😅 (I've been wanting to see this great festival, so now is our chance!)
• Namiyoke-jinja Inari shrine was founded in 1639 & is a famous place to pray for prosperity, good business & protection from disaster & bad luck. Inari is the Kami of rice & all agricultural products.
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The Shishi matsuri tradition is passed on to each generation since the Edo period. [masked])
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History says local people faced many problems in land-reclamation work at the coast of Edo (now Tokyo) because shoreline embankments in the Tsukiji area were often washed away by fierce winds & ocean waves!
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• The forces of nature calmed down after people started worshiping the sacred image of a deity which was floated on the ocean’s surface. People started the celebration as soon as the reclamation completed in 1659 by carrying floats & Omikoshi (portable shrines) that represents a dragon that controls the clouds, a tiger that controls the winds & huge heads of male & female shishi lions. (but many FOXES are there, too!)
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ONLY women may carry the giant red female Lion head & they work very hard! (The female Shishi head weighs 0.7 metric tons, or 1,500 pounds, the male head weighs 1 ton, or 2,200 pounds!)
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Hon-Matsuri is the "hon" (true) festival of several over a span of 3-4 years
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• A Chinowa (a large, sacred hoop made of kaya grass) will be set up for summer spirit-cleansing rituals where you can perform Chinowa-kuguri (passing in and out, through a Chinowa).
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• We'll take a tour of the neighborhood & follow the parade of the Giant Shishi Heads & omikoshi as they go out & come back to the shrine, or watch the parade go by, while enjoying conversation & delicious food & drinks, so please invite all of your friends to join this festive event!
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We'll also tour superb Tsukiji Honganji Buddhist temple, famous for it's unusual architecture, plus many gorgeous stone & wood carvings, around the temple. They have a pipe organ & many astonishing golden ornaments which must be seen which greatly add to the heavenly-temple atmosphere!
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NOTE: We have no set event fee, but donations of from￥2000-￥4000 per person are appreciated! We work hard to plan interesting events & guide you safely to the best places, so please give generously!
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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We look forward to seeing you & hope you will invite your friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture.
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IT WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!!!
🚶🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🤸🏻‍♂️ 🚶🏻‍♂️
Wear comfortable shoes, your smile & bring a hat in case it's very sunny!
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Thanks, your organizer, Kerry D. 😎

P.S. Any questions?

 
 
 

Sunday, June 11th, from 1:00 to 4 or maybe 5pm, let's visit the famous Horikiri Iris Gardens (Horikirishobuen) & see the finest collection of Iris flowers (both shobu & ayame) to be found in all of Tokyo!
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During the Edo period [masked]) the Horikiri garden became a major attraction. Among other iris gardens in Edo, it was shown in many ukiyo-e paintings by famous artists of the Edo period, such as Utagawa Hiroshige, because of the garden's magnificent scenery!
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It was renovated and extended in 2019 and now covers about 8,700 square meters. It’s traditional design utilizes winding paths and low hills to show off the iris beds accentuated with sculpted pine trees and graceful willow trees.
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A member of the famous Matsudaira family (which produced the great Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu) devoted his life to developing unique & beautiful new varieties of this remarkable flower & we owe a debt of thanks to this dedicated person!
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Even today, it's one of the most popular botanical attractions in Tokyo.
Every June, 6,000 bulbs of 200 varieties of gorgeous irises welcome the visitors. The flower is associated with words such as ”good news,” ”trust,” & ”grace.”
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(There are actually TWO iris gardens, the second one is by the riverside with an amazing view of east Tokyo & the Skytree, so this will be a relaxing & fun photo walk!)
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"The Japanese iris (Hana-Shobu) dates back to the Tokugawa Period [masked]), when many varieties of iris were raised in Edo. You can still see Edo irises today, as well as Izu iris & Higo iris which come in many colors: purple, red-purple, lavender, yellow, pink & white. Some varieties show marginal variegation, others have variegated leaves, semi-double or double flowers. They are perennials, classified as "emmersed" plants which grow out of the water."
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Let's enjoy the finest Iris Garden in Tokyo & also, visit the legendary "Shichifuku-jin", or Seven Lucky Gods, then enjoy talking & having late-lunch or snacks nearby on the Arakawa riverside!
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On our way, walking through the old town along a wonderful winding foot-path, we'll see many other beautiful flowers such as "Aoi", (hollyhocks) "Ajisai", (hydrangeas) & many more!
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Wonderfully clever 2-3 meter tall stone carvings of the 7-lucky gods stand in a line (near a rather curious Shinto shrine) on our route & this adds to the fun!
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Let's enjoy these wonderful monuments & make a wish there!
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Of course, on our tour, we'll practice common sense, so we can be sociable under the sun, in the park & lovely fresh-air green, grassy space by the riverside!
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* For fans of modern architecture & infrastructure, there are some amazing gigantic modern "brutalist", or maybe Art Deco water-gates of copper, steel & concrete dams, plus huge highway pylons beside the river which make wonderful subjects for photos, with the Skytree, boats & river scenery!
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Bring snacks & drinks for yourself & a picnic sheet if you like. We'll stop at a convenience store if needed, after meeting at the station.
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PLEASE NOTE: We have no set event fee, but donations of from￥2000-￥4000 per person are appreciated! We work hard to plan interesting events & guide you safely to the best places, so please give generously!
🙏🏻
KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦
We look forward to seeing you & hope you will invite your friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
🚶🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🤸🏻‍♂️ 🚶🏻‍♂️
Do wear comfortable shoes & bring a hat in case it's very sunny, as we'll be walking for a while.
🌞
Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. 😎

P.S. Any questions?

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Admission Free!! Japanese bamboo flute Shakuhachi Concert
The Regular Concert of Minato Ward Japanese Music Study Group
This is a concert where you can enjoy Japanese music through various schools of shakuhachi music.
◎This venue will not be crowded, so you don't have to worry about new coronavirus infection.

・Date：on 14 Jun 2023 From 18:00（Doors open at 17:45）
・Veneu：Akasaka Civic Hall（in 3F Akasaka Community Plaza,[masked],Akasaka Minato-ku,Tokyo）
・Access：10 minute walk from Exit A of Akaska-mitsuke Station on Ginza line or Marunouchi line
・Admission fee：free（Please RSVP. All seats are free. You can enter after the start time.）

The Minato-district Japanese Music Study Group has players who belong to the various groups, such as the Fuke-meian, the Kinko, the Tozan and each school.The length of the shakuhachi also ranges from 30cm to 100cm.The form of shakuhachi pipe also ranges from unpainted ungrounded pipes to contemporary fine-tuned ones.
Pieces from the classical komuso shakuhachi to ensembles with a Koto and a shamisen and western music.It is very rich in variety.
In addition, every single piece, we have programmed a program to be played by shakuhachi with different styles and lengths (or pipe making methods). The concert takes about 3 hours, but if you listen for 1 hour, you will be able to enjoy the various charms of shakuhachi.
Please feel free to visit us if you are interested in Japanese music, art and culture.

【無料】流派を超えた尺八演奏会　港区邦楽研究会 定期演奏会
様々な流派の尺八音楽を愉しむことができる演奏会です。
◎本演奏会場は密の状態にはなりませんので、安心してお越し下さい。

・開催日時：令和５年６月１４日（水）18時00分開演（開場：17時45分）
・演奏会場：赤坂区民ホール（東京都港区赤坂[masked] 赤坂コミュニティーぷらざ３階）
・アクセス：東京メトロ 銀座線・丸の内線「赤坂見附」駅下車 A出口から徒歩10分
・入場料：無料（RSVPをお願いします。全席自由、途中入退場可）

港区邦楽研究会には、普化明暗流（ふけめいあんりゅう）、琴古流（きんこりゅう）、都山流（とざんりゅう）、さらに尺八の各流派の中でも別の会派に所属する奏者がいます。
吹く尺八の長さも一節切（ひとよぎり、約30cm）から三尺五寸（約105cm）まで。尺八の製管のあり方も、漆（うるし）すら塗らない地無し管（じなしかん）から、ファインチューンの現代的な作りのものまで。曲目も、虚無僧尺八の古典本曲から、筝（こと）や三味線が加わった合奏曲や洋楽まで、とてもバラエティに富んでいます。
さらに、１曲毎に、流派、長さ（あるいは製管方法）の異なる尺八による演奏になるようにプログラムを組んでいます。演奏会は約３時間ですが、そのうち１時間でも聴いていただければ、尺八の様々な魅力をお愉しみいただけるものと思います。
日本の音楽や芸術・文化に関心がある方は、是非、お気軽にご来場ください。

 
 
 

SEE: 10,000 Hydrangeas at ancient 本土寺 Hondoji, or "Ajisa-dera" Temple in Matsudo!
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"Even in summer's tedium, my heart is moved; The moon mirrored in the dewdrops on four hydrangea petals."~ Fujiwara no Shunzei [masked] )
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Do you love seeing Ajisai, (Hydrangeas) purple, white & gold Shobu (Irises), plus wonderful antique temples, shrines & elegant monuments in a beautiful, natural setting?
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You don't need to visit Kamakura to enjoy the most remarkable flowers to bloom at this time of year. In fact, 13th Century Hondo-ji Temple is nicer in many ways than tourist-choked Hasedera in Kamakura!
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"One of the best hydrangea gardens anywhere is hidden in a small town near Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture. Within walking distance from JR Kita-kogane station (JR 北小金駅), Hondoji Temple (本土寺) come to life on June each year with its superb view of hydrangea forest, a suitably mysterious moss garden & a five-tier pagoda, that is said to house one of only a few pieces of Buddha's bone in Japan!" ~ A wise tourist
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"I certainly enjoy the flowers & smaller shrines in the complex. The complex has other places of interest, including a Jizō shrine, an Inari shrine & a Benzaiten temple, but its crowning glory is still the hydrangea forest & the iris pond. In June, they cover almost all the precincts of the temple, creating a really awesome sight." ~ Trip Advisor
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We'll visit the beautiful, highly photogenic temple and gardens, and possibly several ancient Shinto shrines in a lovely forested area which preserves the remains of Kogane castle, all part of this wonderful historic area of very accessible Chiba!
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We'll also tell you of the legend of Kichibojin, an ancient demon-queen whose heart was transformed, becoming the Goddess who protects children! (This Goddess is honored at every Nichiren-sect temple)
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https://www.matsudo-kankou.jp/oyaguchirekishikouen/
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Also known as "Ajisai-dera" this historic temple has many charms, including a wonderful iris garden, a superb 5 story pagoda, many magnificent temple buildings, monuments, statues, stones & ponds which would make any photographer or genuine Japanese culture or art lover swoon!
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Admission to temple and gardens is￥500. Less for disabled or over 65.
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NOTE: We work hard to create nice Meetups & everyone is welcome, so your contributions of between ￥2000-￥4000 are much appreciated!)
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A comfortable walk along the sacred road leading from the station brings us past many wonderful shops selling an amazing variety of traditional sweets, pickles, crackers, rare & unique flowers, plus handcrafted items of many different kinds.
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There's a nice, open, inexpensive soba shop along the sacred temple road where we enjoyed a delicious lunch on past visits, so perfect for a Meetup lunch, or you may bring your own bento lunch & eat in a nearby park! (Yes, there is a convenience store by the station)
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It's an easy ride from central Tokyo or anyplace on the Chiyoda or Joban Lines. Just 30 minutes on the Joban Line from JR Ueno station & 50 minutes from Kasumigaseki by Metro Chiyoda Line, these trains all go directly to Kita-Kogane station where we'll meet!
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(People coming from Chiba can travel by any train or bus going to Matsudo Station & easily transfer!)
It's a wonderful place to experience, so why don't we all go?
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👉🏻 Being late, or a "no-show" hurts your fellow members & organizers, so please be considerate.

👉🏻 Walking shoes (no high heels, please) a hat, umbrella & insect repellent are sometimes helpful!

Your comments & suggestions for meetups are always welcome!
Thanks!

Your organizer, Kerry D. 👦🏻

#festivals #shintoshrines #omatsuri #eventsintokyo #buddhisttemples #japanesefestivals #japanesegardens #traditionaljapan #tokyofestivals #tokyo #japaneseculture #funinjapan #japanesehistory #parksandgardens #japaneseart #chiba #chibatourism #Japanesefood #Japanesetemples #chiba #flowers