Bon Odori
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Stan Sakai
- Sensei
- Posts: 4896
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
Bon Odori
August is the time that the Bon Odori takes place. It means "the dance to welcome ancestors' souls". It is observed throughout Japan when it is believed that spirits revisit their ancestral homes. There are different observances, such as the launching of little lantern boats, but the centerpiece is when women clad in summer kimono take part in a circle dance.
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Leonardo-san
- Shinobi<Special Ninja Agent>
- Posts: 271
- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2003 19:59 -0700
- Location: California
What a wonderful festival!
The Bon Odori dances take place out here at several temples in July, although it's a bit different from Japan, I am sure. For one, they don't have the little lantern boats floating down a river.
But the idea behind the dances is the same.
What I think is great is that each of the area temples help the others out. They schedule their events on different weekends, and attend the festivals at the other temples. They're open to the public and is a fund raiser for the temples. There's food and demonstrations of various things like flower arranging, taiko, classical dance....
For the second year at the Monterey Obon our dojo was asked to present a iado demonstration. It's a very interesting experience, up on a slippery stage (weee tabi!), with two other fellow students at at time, all with long katana blades.
But I also enjoy participating because I really like the underlying concept of Obon, it's a different outlook to thinking of one's departed family members. It's a great way to end the day, watching the dances.
The Bon Odori dances take place out here at several temples in July, although it's a bit different from Japan, I am sure. For one, they don't have the little lantern boats floating down a river.
But the idea behind the dances is the same.
What I think is great is that each of the area temples help the others out. They schedule their events on different weekends, and attend the festivals at the other temples. They're open to the public and is a fund raiser for the temples. There's food and demonstrations of various things like flower arranging, taiko, classical dance....
For the second year at the Monterey Obon our dojo was asked to present a iado demonstration. It's a very interesting experience, up on a slippery stage (weee tabi!), with two other fellow students at at time, all with long katana blades.
But I also enjoy participating because I really like the underlying concept of Obon, it's a different outlook to thinking of one's departed family members. It's a great way to end the day, watching the dances.