LOS ANGELES – Summertime is the season for tens of thousands of Nikkei in Southern California to celebrate Obon, a traditional Buddhist event to honor and express gratitude to one’s ancestors for the gift of life. “Obon is the most important festival in the year cycle, it’s remembering the dead,” said the Rev. Masao Kodani […]
Where to buy all-things Bon Odori
June 25, 2015 by 1 Comment
Soko Hardware Happi coats (Short work coat): Children’s: $37.50; Adults: Mostly around $46 Hachimaki (Headband): $4.10 Zori (Sandals) (Tatami): $10.20 Zori (Rubber): $22.50; $36 Tabi (Traditional Japanese socks): white; black: Sizes 7-12, including half sizes; $15 and $10.65; $25.50 Kachi kachi (Wooden castanets): (Red) $4.25; (Clam shape) $15.30, $16.15 Uchiwa (Round fans): $2.55, $3, $3.85 […]
Mountain View Buddhist Temple’s reverend reflects on Obon from Japan to São Paulo
June 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Rev. Yushi Mukojima arrived in Mountain View, Calif. in August of 2013 to replace Rev. Dean Koyama — who became resident minister of Palo Alto Buddhist Temple —and celebrated his first Obon as the Mountain View Buddhist Temple’s resident minister last year. To the Japan-born minister, Obon is an opportunity to see friends during […]
‘HIDDEN LEGACY’: Film showcases the preservation of Japanese arts in the wartime concentration camps
July 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
SAN JOSE — June 28 marked the premiere film screening of “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” at San Jose’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The film explores the practice and preservation of Japanese cultural arts in the American concentration camps, and is the result of more […]
SAN JOSE CHIDORI BAND: Playing the classics and dancing for the ancestors
June 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
SAN JOSE — In 1953, community leaders in San Jose’s Japantown came together to discuss the ethnic enclave’s needs. During a period when Japanese-language performance arts was scarce, the community realized there was a need for entertainment for its Issei. The San Jose Chidori Band was formed in response and has since performed a mix […]
What Bon Odori is not
June 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Bon Odori in America is Japanese American, not Japanese. Bon Odori is generally not observed at Jodoshinshu temples in Japan. Bon Odori is not “Ondo.” Ondo does not mean dance in the Japanese language, it means to “take the lead” in a cheer or toast, and is a form of music with a single singer […]
Southern California Obons and summer festivals
June 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Valley Japanese Community Center’s Obon festival is on Saturday, June 22 (5-10 p.m.), and Sunday, June 23 (5-9 p.m.), at 8850 Lankershim Blvd., Sun Valley. Bon Odori begins at 7 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. There will be food and entertainment (including the Matsutoyo Kai dance and musical group on Saturday, Los Angeles Matsuri […]
Sacramento Obon boasts large attendance
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Obon festivals take place at various Japanese Buddhist temples every summer, bringing together Japanese Americas, as well as some intrigued locals, increasing attendance levels for Obon festivals each year. Not only does the Buddhist Church of Sacramento have the largest church membership within the Buddhist Churches of America, it also has up to almost 700 Japanese American […]
SoCal Japanese Americans anticipate joyful summer celebrations
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
LOS ANGELES — Japanese Americans in Southern California are gearing up for a summer of festivals — both the Buddhist Obon observances and secular summer celebrations — that include dancing and carnivals. Obon is a traditional Japanese Buddhist event to honor and thank one’s ancestors for the gift of life. The meaning of Obon, according […]
Summer festivals in the East Bay
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The annual observance of Obon in the East Bay is both a time for the area’s Japanese Americans to remember their loved ones and an opportunity for the community to learn more about Buddhism. With a high concentration of Japanese Americans living in the area, the East Bay has multiple Obon and bazaar events. Set […]
Connect & Share