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Forget fireworks and confetti. The Asian Art Museum invites neighbors of all ages to ring in the New Year by taking a swing at their 2,100 pound, 16th century Japanese temple bell this morning.
The Asian Art Museum's Japanese New Year's Bell-Ringing Ceremony, now in its 30th year, is based on Japanese New Year tradition that a bell is struck 108 times on New Year’s Eve to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires that Buddhists believe torment humankind. "According to Buddhist belief, each ring of the bell wipes the slate clean of bad experiences, wrong doings, and ill luck," the museum explains on Facebook.
Rev. Gengo Akiba will take the first swing, after community leader Yoshie Akiba gives opening remarks about the Japanese New Year. Then groups of visitors will have the opportunity to wipe their own slates clean.
Visitors who would like to participate can pick up a numbered ticket at the admissions desk, after paying for museum admission. The museum will then assemble 108 groups of up to six people to take a swing, and suggests interested parties arrive by 11am to secure a slot. (A separate members-only ceremony will be held at 9:30am and members interested in taking a swing should arrive by 10am.)
In addition to signaling a new year, this event marks the beginning of the Asian Art Museum's 50th year here in San Francisco. Expect to see a number of anniversary events to come in 2016 — in addition to a new Living Innovation Zone just outside before summer's end.
Once you're done ridding your future of any "ill luck," there's plenty more to do in the neighborhood this holiday weekend:
