Sensoji Temple Dragon Dance

Senso-ji Temple

The Golden Dragon dance of Sensoji Temple takes place on the 18th March each year. It celebrates the day in 628 that Shokanzeon Bosatsu, the deity enshrined in Senso-ji Temple, manifested to the world in the form of a golden dragon descending from the sky, creating overnight a grove of a thousand pines — a symbol of the worldly benefit of a rich harvest. Apparently the dance is also performed for the Chrysanthemum Memorial Ceremony on October 18 and for major events such as the Tokyo Marathon.

So I was lucky that the JSC meeting had ended, or I being not a JSC member was not needed for it, and also that I had heard that the dance was taking place on Saturday the 18th March.

Photo Gallery: Golden Dragon Dance…