Art Walk: "Transgenderism in Japan"👘 & ”LOVE; Images of Adorable Things"! 💞

This Sunday, February 15th, let's explore the peaceful backstreets of to see some wonderous things located between Ebisu & Shibuya, such as a few: OOPA, or "Out Of Place Artifacts" which I've discovered during my research.
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(PLEASE wear comfortable shoes & bring your lunch or snacks!)
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On the way, let's visit the Superb Yamatane Museum of Art, to see: "LOVE; Images of Adorable Things"
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”We are surrounded by love in many forms: the burning passion between lovers, the affection shared by family members, including parents and children or spouses, the love for one’s hometown, and the tender affection we feel toward familiar animals. Oshi-katsu—supporting one’s favorite artist, performer, or character—is a term we often hear now and can also be seen as a form of love. This winter, the Yamatane Museum of Art will hold a special exhibition focused on modern and contemporary Japanese paintings inspired by the theme of “LOVE.”
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**https://www.yamatane-museum.jp/exh/english/2025/love.html**
Admission: Adults: 1,400 yen. Students: 1,100 yen → 500 yen
*Discount of 200 yen for adults wearing kimono!
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Afterwards, we'll take an "al-fresco" lunch break before seeing forested Shibuya Hikawa-jinja, which was one of the big 3 sacred shrines hosting Sumo tournaments during the Edo-Period!
NEXT UP: Enjoy an unusual exhibition at the Kokogakuin University Museum:
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"The History of Transgenderism in Japan -Neither Male nor Female, Yet Both Male and Female-"
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Exhibition Overview: "Gender, often considered one of the most natural aspects of humanity, has deeply cultural characteristics. If anything, it is precisely the way gender is not limited to the biological “male/female” which clearly separates humans from animals. And people have believed that by crossing the boundaries of gender, they can even acquire transcendental abilities. Especially in the worlds of rituals and performing arts, cross-dressing and other forms of crossing gender lines can have significant meaning."
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"Accordingly, this exhibition aims to re-examine the post-Meiji era attitudes which no longer tolerated ambiguity in gender, while catching a glimpse of historical attitudes toward gender and clarifying the gender diversity in Japanese culture that has endured to this day."
https://museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/en/special_exhibition/detail/2025_seibetuekkyou.html
EXHIBITION ADMISSION 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
• Kono Hachiman Shrine

This will be a great chance to stretch our legs & socialize while discovering some of the superb artistic, cultural & historical 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 low-income:￥1000,
others, give from:￥2000 to 5000.
It's really your choice!
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👉🏻NOTE: If you're a Starbucks patron, please pay MORE!
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KIDS are WELCOME & free to join with a parent!
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Your Meetup organizer, Kerry D.
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P.S. THIS WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!
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