How Dragons and Bells Make Rain in Japan – Virtual Lecture
November 4 @ 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
VIRTUAL LECTURE – How Dragons and Bells Make Rain in Japan
For centuries, humans have sought supernatural assistance for relief from droughts and floods. In Japan, tenth-century records show that dragons were enlisted in imperial rainmaking rituals. Buddhist texts and Asian folklore are ripe with tales of dragon kings who dwell in an undersea palace and have control over storms.
In this talk, Dr. Sherry Fowler will introduce long-forgotten strategies rural communities developed that employed large temple bells beyond their sound-making, including soaking them in water or parading floats of bells.
This lecture is hosted by the Japan Foundation Los Angeles
