Honor the 47 Loyal SAMURAI 🏹 "AKOH GISHI-SAI" Festival & wonderful Photo Walk!

Saturday, 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 day of his death, he drew his sword & attempted to kill Kira in the Corridor of the Pines at Edo Castle in what is now Tokyo, but was wounded and failed to kill Kira."

"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 and junior high school students: ￥400yen

There's no set Meetup fee & Admission to both temples is free, but we try hard to plan interesting events & guide you to the very best places, so please give generously! Your supportive donations anywhere between: ￥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. 💖