Born in Mugi, Tokushima Prefecture, Shoji Kojima has been familiar with the pilgrims of Shikoku and his spiritual developmente has been significantly influenced by the ideas of Kūkai (774-845). The esoteric Buddhism introduced to Japan by Kūkai in the 9th century has its origin in India as well as flamenco, which is believed to have been brought to the Iberian Península by the gypsies from northern India according to a popular theory.
After more than fifty years of dancing on stage, combining Japanese spiritualness and flamenco, Shoji Kojima glorifies Kūkai alias Kōbō-Daishi on the eve of the birthday of the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
| Date | Sunday 14 de junio 2009 Eve of Aobamatsuri, the birthday of Kūkai |
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| Time | From 17:30 to 18:30 Will be held outdoors although it rains |
| Place | Kondō of Danjō Garan, Kongōbuji, the headquarters of KōyasanShingon Buddhism (Wakayama Prefecture) |
| Admission | No admission fee is required. |
| Cast | dance: Shoji KOJIMA changers (shikishu): Hiroki SATOH, Yoshio YANO, Harumitsu SEKI, Sanshiro SUEKI, Nobuo NAKANE song: Aguilar de Jerez, José de la Margara, Miguel de Badajoz guitar: Norihiro Takahashi, Fermín Querol violin： Takuya MORIKAWA violoncello: Keiki MIDORIKAWA recitation (kōshiki): Eizen FUJIWARA shōmyō (Shingon Buddhist chant): Kunihiko YABU, Eishō KAMEI, Yūshō TATSUIE, Kōmei YASUDA, Zenkō KATOH, Gishin FUJIO, Taishin GOTOH, Jikken OSADA, Shin'yū OSADA, Ryūshō TAKAGI |
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| Contact | Office Shoji Kojima Tel. 03-3498-0923 Kongōbuji Tel. 0736-56-2011 |
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| Access | See the map at the official website of Kongōbuji (in English). |