Chiba-Tokyo Art & Culture Explorers

On Tuesday, September 23rd (The Fall Equinox & a National Holiday!)
from 10am-3pm, let's have a great time visiting lovely Soko-in Zen temple in Matsudo to witness the annual blooming of the gorgeous, red, white & gold "Manjushage", Spider Lilies, (a type of Narcissus).
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(YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO SAITAMA on a long train ride with 20,000 OTHER PEOPLE to enjoy the BEAUTY of these AMAZING flowers!)
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There will also be a LUCKY NEW MOON this week, so it's a great time to be enjoying nature!
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We'll explore the area, including the magnificent Matsudo Museum & have a sociable picnic & play time at one of the best parks I know of!
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Also called, "Higanbana" ("O-Higan" is the Fall Equinox) these remarkable flowers bloom all at once in Mid-late September, often accompanied by thunder & lightning storms!
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After visiting lovely Soko-in (Soto- Zen) seeing the blooms, plus many wonderful icons and stone carvings around the mossy grounds, we'll take an easy walk to old Kumano-jinja Shinto Shrine, then to splendid Matsudo Municipal Museum, which is located beside an ancient Yayoi-era village, which has been carefully reconstructed!
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After viewing, we'll walk through the woods to have a relaxing lake-side picnic at Matsudo City's BIG, wonderful, "Park for the 21st Century", where we can stroll, viewing a variety of wonderful plants, birds, waterfowl & perhaps hear a free lakeside concert, which are often presented on weekends!
https://www.city.matsudo.chiba.jp/shisetsu-guide/kouen_ryokuka/top/index.html
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There are many types of play apparatus, refreshments & various exhibitions to be enjoyed at the lakeside center, which is close to a wonderfully picturesque row of "Minka", or traditional farmhouses!
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https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303151-d2355143-Reviews-Forest_and_Park_for_the_21st_Century-Matsudo_Chiba_Prefecture_Kanto.html
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The superb Matsudo Municipal Museum, set in the 50 hectare (LARGE!) "21st Century Park & Forest", keeps a GREAT permanent collection, including thousands of items, rare Shinto festival costumes & masks, (like I'd never seen before), plus the ancient village, located on the wooded museum grounds. This environment provides a fascinating experience of ancient homes which I recommended highly!

https://www.city.matsudo.chiba.jp/m_muse/
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👉🏻 IT'S EASY TO GET TO MATSUDO STATION from Tokyo, or Chiba, by the JR Joban Line, Shin-Keisei Line or Metro Chiyoda Line! Just 20 minutes with NO transfers on either the JR Joban Line from Nippori, or 42 minutes from Kasumigaseki on the Metro Chiyoda Line!
Locate the East Exit, we'll meet you there!
🦁 (OR, you may meet us just outside the ticket gate at Shin-Keisei Line Yabashira Station at 10:30)
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Museum admission for adults is just 520 yen (plus 310 yen for any special exhibition). High School Students & above: 250 yen, kids below High School age are FREE.
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WE HAVE NO SET EVENT FEE, but work hard to create interesting, enjoyable events for you, so PLEASE be generous (￥1000-3000🙏🏻)
👉🏻 This is an all-ages Meetup, so kids are FREE & welcome, but babes-in arms are not due to possible noise & other factors. (Sorry!)
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After Meeting at Matsudo, we'll take the Shin-Keisei line to Yabashira Station, and walk a few minutes to Soko-in temple from there. Shin-Yahashira station, served by the Musashino Line is also nearby, so you may go wherever you wish on either line afterwards.
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WHAT TO BRING: We'll be walking for a while, so wear comfortable shoes & bring snacks or lunch, your beverage, a picnic sheet, a ball, a frisbee, maybe a folding umbrella. We'll stop at a convenience store on the way, but food & drink are available at the park!
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If you have questions, please ask before the day our our Meetup!
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Please join us. This is a beautiful area, that many people have no idea about! A good time is guaranteed & maybe great weather too!
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Thanks,
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Kerry D, your Meetup Organizer

Let's meet up to enjoy the gorgeous seasonal display of Autumnal colors on a pleasant morning walk around big, beautiful, historic Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji temple on Sunday, November 23rd!
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OUR TOUR: Located in the hills of Funabashi, not far from Tokyo, Hokkekyo-ji temple is an almost hidden, very historic 900-year old temple complex (or "teramachi") with many gorgeous buildings, set in a beautiful valley filled with Plum, Cherry, Peach, plus Oaks, Maples, Gingko, Keyaki & other trees which turn lovely colors in the Fall.
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There may even be a special display of Chrysanthemums (Kiku)!
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We'll explore the ancient temple grounds, discover mossy icons and images, see the amazing Gohonzon of Nichiren, the Kishimojin shrine, then hike up to the wonderful, inner "DRAGON" temple, where 'Saint' Nichiren-shonin took refuge from his enemies.
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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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There's also a lovely Inari-jinja (Shinto shrine to the Goddess of rice) at the top of the hill, not far from the great gate. We'll surely pay our respects there!!
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We may also stop to enjoy an antique shop & visit the wonderful bakery-café up the hill from the main temple where we can stop for a late lunch, or breads, cookies, cake-snacks and drinks.
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https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-d1314356?m=55593
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CULTURE & HISTORY: Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Temple in Chiba Prefecture belongs to the popular Nichiren sect. Established by the famous monk Nichiren Shonin, who lived during Kamakura Period (1185-1333) this temple hosts one of three Kishimojin Goddesses!
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The ancient legend of Kishimojin is most interesting, and may even come from Babylonian times! Originally a queen of cannibal demons, (with a with a taste for the flesh of infants) Kishimojin was confronted by a benign deity (in this case, the Buddha) who touched her heart, changing her into a Goddess of child protection!
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The symbol of Kishimojin is the ripe pomegranate (Zakuro), and you will often see this symbol, and pomegranate trees, at Nichiren temples, where the welfare of mothers and children is paramount.
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Many people who pray for safe childbirth, delivery from illnesses and business prosperity visit here. Inside the temple you can find works by Nichiren such as “Establishing the Correct teaching for the Peace of the Land (Rissho Ankoku Ron)” and “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind (Kanjin-no Honzon-sho)”, both designated as National Treasures.
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What to bring: Bring a smile, your mask, comfortable shoes, snacks & a beverage. (A small folding umbrella is sometimes useful too!)
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GOOD TO KNOW:
Since both JR Sobu Rapid Blue and 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 East from JR Akihabara!)
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NOTE: If you prefer to take the Keisei Line from Nippori or Ueno, please get off at Keisei-Nakayama Station. We'll meet you there at 10:30.
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(PLEASE let me know in advance IF you'll be arriving at the Keisei Station!)
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NOTE: Temple admission is free, but we plan interesting events, and guide you to the best places, so please give generously! There's no set fee, but your supportive donations of from￥1000 -￥5000 are much appreciated!
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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 family & friends to join in this unique experience of traditional Japanese culture!
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Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. 💖

Sunday, December 14th, join our tour to beautiful Sengaku-ji & Zojo-ji temples in Tokyo's Minato-ku for a celebration of the legendary "47 Ronin"!
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Let's all turn-out to honor the 47 loyal Samurai of Akoh!
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This remarkable legend is popular in Japan because it evokes several values ​​of Japanese society: self-sacrifice, courage & loyalty.
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http://www.sengakuji.or.jp/about_sengakuji_en/

It's also known as "Akoh Gishi-sai", immortalized in Japan's most famous kabuki plays & in many films & TV epics like: “Chushingura“ or "The League of Loyal Hearts"!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABshingura

Every year on the date of the uchiiri (raid), many people visit the temple to pay homage to the loyal vassals of Akoh at their graves & watch the "Gishi Gyoretsu", a procession of volunteers dressed as the 47 Samurai parading through the streets.

The entire neighborhood becomes packed with crowds of spectators!
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OUR TOUR: We'll explore the temple & after a memorial ceremony starting at 11, we'll visit the Museum & the Hall of Heroes, then get lunch from the many traditional food stalls on the temple grounds, (Very tasty!)
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After, we'll take a short ride to great Shiba Zojo-ji temple to greet the parade of 47 Samurai returning from Lord Kira's estate in Ryogoku with the wrapped head of Lord Kira, carried on a long spear!
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(NOTE: this is pure theater, but it's a LOT of fun!)
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THE SETTING: Two beautiful temples, plus scenic Tokyo Tower, tall in the background with many armored samurai arranged on the wide temple steps.
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These are beautiful places, and a world-class photo opportunity & there are many wonderful things to see nearby!
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After the parade goes on to Sengaku-ji, we'll spend time exploring ancient Zojo-ji temple & Shiba-koen beneath Tokyo Tower!
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THE HISTORY: “The Forty-Seven Loyal Retainers in Akoh” is a drama based on an incident in 1703 when 47 vassals avenged their Master, Lord Asano’s death by killing his enemy, Lord Kira.
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Since then, it's been performed many times in the form of Joruri (a narrative ballad), in Kabuki plays, films & TV dramas until today. This is one of the best-loved tales in Japan.
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Plays and novels of the tale are more commonly known under the titles of Chushingura (“The Loyal Retainers”) & Akoh Roshi.
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"In 1701, Naganori Asano, the lord in the area of ​​Akoh, (between Okayama & Kobe), was sentenced by Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi to die by ritual suicide for having injuring Kira Yoshinaka, an elite samurai & tea master who had insulted him."

"On the same day, shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi sentenced him to commit seppuku (hara-kiri) which he did after writing his death poem:

「風さそう花よりも / なお我はまた / 春の名残を / いかにとやせん」

"Kaze sasou hana yori mo / naho ware ha mata / haru no nagori wo / ika ni toyasen."
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"More than the cherry blossoms,
Inviting a wind to blow them away,
I am wondering what to do,
With the remaining springtime."
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Asano is buried in the graveyard of Sengaku-ji
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asano_Naganori

"His grieving disciples, led by Oishi Yoshio, organized a suicide attack to avenge their master. They killed Kira on the 14th December 1702, removed his head, then took it as an offering to the grave of Asano at Sengaku-ji."
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"At Sengaku-ji are the graves of the Lord who was forced to commit hara-kiri & his 47 loyal vassals who did the same after taking their revenge by defeating their Lord’s enemy."

Akoh Gishi Memorial Museum, completed in 2001, exactly 300 years after the death of their Master, displays fascinating mementos of the vassals as well as rare artifacts associated with the incident.

http://www.sengakuji.or.jp/event/akougishisai.html
https://sengakuji.or.jp/about_sengakuji_en/

NOTE: Admission to both the Akoh-Gishi Memorial Museum & Hall of Heroes: Adult:￥500,Primary or Jr High students: ￥400yen
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Admission to both temples is free, but we try to plan interesting events & guide you to the best places, so please give generously! Your supportive donations of: ￥1000 -￥5000 are much appreciated!
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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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Thanks! Your organizer, Kerry D. 💖