20th Annual Japanese New Year's Bell Ringing Ceremony December 31, 2005

Where else can you literally ?ring in? the New Year AND take a swing at an artwork than at the Asian Art Museum?

Family and friends, young and old can kick off the new year with panache and good fortune at the Asian Art Museum's 20th Annual Japanese New Year's Bell Ringing Ceremony.

Based on the Buddhist custom of striking a temple bell 108 times on New Year?s Eve to wipe away all the bad experiences, wrong deeds, and ill luck of the past year, tolling the bell symbolically welcomes the start of a prosperous and joyous New Year. Everyone is invited to strike a 2100-lb., 16th-century Japanese bronze bell, originally from a temple in Japan and now part of the museum?s collection.

Museum visitors will be assigned numbered tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 10am. Festivities include a special bamboo flute performance, brief Buddhist ceremony, and children's art activities. This event is FREE with admission, and kids 12 and under always get in free, so bring all your loved ones and join us in ringing the bell to ensure a smashing 2006!

Please visit the website for more info:
http://www.asianart.org/BellRinging05.htm