March 13 – Kasuga Matsuri (Monkey Festival) in Japan

nPosted on March 13, 2019

n

nToday’s annual festival is centered on the Kasuga Grand Shrine. And it’s pretty grand!

n

n

n

n

n

n

nThis Shinto shrine was founded in 768. It was the shrine of a powerful family, the Fujiwaras, and for a long time it was rebuilt every 20 years.

n

nThere are four inner-sanctum shrine buildings plus sub-shrines in the forest. At least 1,000 bronze hanging lanterns decorate the eaves of the shrines…

n

n

n…and more than 3,000 stone lanterns (many covered with moss) dot the grounds…. 

n

n…There is also a wonderful botanical garden. 

n

n

nThe festival features a parade and dance performances. 

n

n

n

n

nAlso on this date:

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

nPlan ahead:

n

n

n

n
• nMarch holidays

  n

n

• nMarch birthdays

  n

n

• nHistorical anniversaries in March
  

  n

n

n

n

n
• nApril holidays

  n

n

• nApril birthdays

  n

n

• nHistorical anniversaries in April

  n

n

n