Date: Saturday, December 21 (Winter Solstice)
Daytime Session (Free): 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Evening Session (Ticketed): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Place: Myōshō-ji Temple (Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture)

　

Daytime Session – Public Viewing Commemorating the Grand Prize of Japan’s Top Three Dragon Deity Paintings

he winter solstice—the longest night of the year—is traditionally regarded as a moment when yin reaches its peak and turns to yang. It is a spiritually significant day in the Japanese calendar, marked by Hoshimatsuri (Star Festival) ceremonies held at temples throughout the country.

To commemorate receiving first prize in Japan’s Three Great Dragon Deity Paintings, we held a public viewing of the ceiling mural at Myōshō-ji Temple on this auspicious day.

Original works such as Byakuryūjin Hamazu (White Dragon Wave Painting) and Hōō Unzu (Phoenix Cloud Painting) were displayed alongside explanations about the ceiling painting itself. Limited-edition goods featuring the Byakuryūjin Sakura Wave Painting were also available, delighting many visitors.

Guests from across Japan strolled freely through the temple grounds, taking time to gaze up at the ceiling mural, watching its colors shift subtly with the changing sunlight. Many were able to enjoy a peaceful and rare moment of deep connection with the art and space.

　　

Evening Session – Special Ritual under the Light of Candles and the White Dragon Deity

The evening session was an intimate, limited event with only 20 participants.

Chairs were arranged beneath the ceiling mural, and the program began with a talk by the artist, EISUI, who shared behind-the-scenes stories and the spiritual intention behind the work.

Afterward, all the lights in the temple were turned off, and participants lit small candles in their hands.
Under the soft flicker of candlelight, the Byakuryūjin Sakura Wave Painting emerged in a completely different expression than by day—mystical, solemn, and quietly radiant.

A special Hoshimatsuri ritual followed, where the resonant sounds of wooden ritual swords filled the hall, echoing deeply into the hearts of all present, gradually bringing about a sense of spiritual clarity and stillness.

After purifying the accumulated energies of the past year, we welcomed the precise moment of the winter solstice with a one-minute group meditation.
In that silent time, we offered a prayer for the victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day of 2024, and wished for the swift recovery and healing of the region.

The two-hour event flew by in the blink of an eye. We closed the evening with a commemorative group photo.

Although it was our first time attempting such a gathering, the presence and warmth of everyone who participated made it a truly meaningful and heartwarming celebration—perfectly suited to the winter solstice.
Thank you to all who attended.

●夜の部の様子