Shirasagi-no Mai is an ancient 12th Century Heian-period ceremonial dance and parade which was carefully re-created in 1968 by the Asakusa Tourist Federation in honor of the 100th anniversary of establishing Tokyo as the nation's capital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qiU51LPLAI
The origin of this ritual dance is found in a historic picture scroll owned by Sensoji Temple, called: "Keian engi e-maki", which depicts the scene of ritual parade to pray for the peace after the move of the temple.
After the parade we'll give you a tour of many wonders of Sensoji, (Also known as Kin-Ryu-san, or Golden Dragon Mountain!) such as the Asakusa Shinto Shrine, gorgeous Honryu-in, the "Superb Heavenly Love" temple & many other interesting spots.
We can also enjoy food and drinks nearby!
昭和43年（1968）の「東京百年祭」を記念して創始奉納されたのが「白鷺の舞」です。京都八坂神社の祇園祭の「鷺舞」を参考にして、「浅草寺縁起」の遷座式に登場する「白鷺の舞」を再興したものです。「白鷺」「武者」「棒ふり」「大傘」「楽人」や浅草寺幼稚園園児による「守護童子」などにより構成される美しい舞です。
The parade is composed of three warriors, one pole carrier, one feeder, one parasol carrier, eight white herons, nineteen musicians, guardian children and others, dressed in the traditional attire of the Heian period (the late 8th to the late 12th century) and the costume that represents elegant white herons.
The slow, graceful movement of dancers beautifully reproduces the elegance of Heian manners and is worth seeing and this parade is one of the wonderful authentic Springtime attractions of Asakusa!
Honryu-in Temple, also known as Matsuchiyama-shoten, or "Shoden-sama" was built on "Oku Asakusa", a small hill on the north side of Sensoji Temple, known in the year 601, and is said to be the oldest part of the Sensoji Temple complex.
According to legend, a Golden Dragon (or "Kin-Ryu") descended from heaven, touched the hill, and 100 tall pine trees sprang up overnight!
http://ja.expjapan.net/shodensama/
Shoden-Sama is dedicated to the spirit of "Sacred, heavenly love", family stability, business success and prosperity in general! Many images of a money-purse, and entwined giant radishes illustrate this theme.
MEETING POINT: We'll Meet-up on the corner of the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center: (the amazing building which looks like several houses piled up) which is right across the street from the Kaminari-mon Gate, quite near the Asakusa Metro station: Just a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railways.
See here: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5018/b6fa/28ba/0d5d/5d00/05a3/newsletter/stringio.jpg?1414093482
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/5mCZT8speBUhZJJd9
From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2370.html) to Kanda Station (2 minutes) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes).
From Shinjuku Station: Take the orange JR Chuo Line (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2372.html) to Kanda Station (10 minutes) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes).
PLEASE NOTE: There is a very low ￥1000 event fee. We work hard to find and plan interesting and enjoyable events for you, so please give more if you can!
Coming late, being a "no-show" or changing your RSVP after the deadline affects your fellow members and organizers, so please be considerate.
This is a non-smoking meetup. If you must, please do it away from the group in proper smoking areas.
Your comments and suggestions for future meetups are always welcome!
Thanks, Kerry D.