Remembering Gokaicho's past
善光寺の七年に一度の御開帳はどう記念すべきでしょうか？アサヒビールのようにマーケティングで生かして、特別な御開帳ラベルを作っていますが、御開帳＝ビール？亀清旅館では、善光寺の奥深い文化の中で座禅もあるって気付いて、御開帳限定の座禅プランを提供しています。周りに他にも、善光寺の文化、進行、歴史を生かしている行事があります。いくつかは下記です：
善光寺大門・西方寺の大チベット祭
５月７日から１１日まで写真展、映画、落語（有料）、踊り、マンカラ、などなど。詳しくはhttp://www.saihouji-nagano.com/2009.html
「善光寺地震と稲荷山」講演
５月９日（土）午後２時～ 千曲市稲荷山の蔵し館
１６２年前の御開帳のときの7.4mag.地震で善光寺街道にある稲荷山宿場で旅人１２１人、村人１８２人が善光寺地震で死亡した。郷土史家の宮澤芳巳さんが語る。詳しくは稲荷山街並み委員会長の高村さん(Tel 090-9666-0852) 参加費２００円。
善光寺信仰－流転と遍歴の勧化
@長野県立歴史観
戦国時代や江戸時代など、善光寺の長い歴史を紹介する展示会。詳しくはhttp://www.npmh.net/kikaku/frame.html
What is the proper way to venerate Zenkoji Temple's once-every-seven-years Gokaicho event? Asahi Beer seems to think it's marketing gimmick, as they have slapped a big Gokaicho emblem on their beer bottles.
Here are some other Gokaicho related events -- perhaps not as fun as beer but likely to be much more memorable.
Wind of Tibet Festival
@ Saihouji Temple, Zenkoji
Tibetan Buddhist monks have their own way of celebrating Gokaicho, with traditional dancing, a colorful mancala, even a Rakugo demonstration (in Japanese, nominal fee). From May 7th to 11th. More info here.
"Zenkoji Earthquake and Inariyama" Lecture
@ Kurashikan in Inariyama, Chikuma City
During the Gokaicho event 162 years ago, as many pilgrims were passing through to Zenkoji, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit. In Inariyama, one of the closest post towns to Zenkoji on the feudal Zenkoji Road, 182 villagers and 121 travellers lost their lives. At this lecture, there will be a talk about the effect of the earthquake on the town (in Japanese, but with explanatory visuals).
Cost is 200 yen; Contact is Takamura-san, 090-9666-0852 or feel free to contact us here at Kamesei.
"Zenkoji Faith: Pilgrims and Devotions" Exhibit
@ Nagano Prefectural Museum of History, Mori, Chikuma City
Zenkoji Temple is open to all believers and its immense scale it testament to the faith and devotion of its supporters, many who make a pilgrimage at least once in their life. The prefecture's official history museum takes this opportunity to make a chronology of that faith. If you ever wondered what all the buzz is about Zenkoji and Gokaicho, this is a great place to find out.
More info here (in Japanese).
Gokaicho sponsor?
Tibeten Dance
