Oh Boy! Obon!

There are only a few weeks left in this year's Obon season, which began in mid-June. Since my father's side of the family is very active in the Buddhist church community, of course it's a tradition for me to enjoy at least one bon dance every year. But, the Buddhist way of honoring the dead through music and dance draws people from all backgrounds, as much a local tradition as a Japanese one.

Ah, the music, the colors, the crowds, and yes, the food! Have any fond Obon memories? Thinking of making more?

I like it all, but have a soft spot for the food. The lukewarm, greasy, somewhat overcooked fried noodles, the slightly stale spam musubi, the burnt overmarinated teri beef buns, and — even at 9 p.m. — the shave ice. Yum!

Missing out? There are still a few bon dances to come around town. For whatever reason, the Star-Bulletin ran their list in alphabetical order (by church), rather than by date, so if you're looking for any Obon fix, here's my calendar:

• Aug. 9-10: Kahuku Hongwanji Mission, Soto Mission of Aiea-Taiheji (-045 Kauhale St.), Shingon Mission of Hawaii (915 Sheridan St.) & Jikoen Hongwanji (1731 N. School St.)
• Aug. 16-17: Soto Mission of Hawaii-Shoboji (1708 Nuuanu Ave.), Mililani Hongwanji (95-257 Kaloapau St.) & Jodo Mission of Hawaii (1429 Makiki St.)
• Aug. 24: Kapahulu Senior Center (3410 Campbell Ave.) & Aiea Hongwanji Mission (99-186 Puakala St.)

Comments

Most surreal bon dance moment: last Saturday night in Manoa, doing the Pokemon dance. I don't think my deceased ancestors were all that pleased.

The thing I remember about Obon is to never order CDs from Japan in August. One e-commerce site totally neglected my order for an entire month because of various Obon-related holidays.

*sigh*

This is the sort of thing that I really miss from Hawaii. I've been poking around and trying to find a good (or really any) bon dance around here, to no avail.

Any of the other DC-area folks know of one?

You thought doing the Pokemon dance was strange, try doing the electric slide using silk screened Bon Dance towels as a prop. Twisting, flinging, swinging, hip shakin', and groovin'. And we're not talking about your local night club diva, we're talking about your grandmas and grandpas! :)

I think it's great that folks can have fun with the Obon dances, however, I'm more of a traditionalist -- which is why I much prefer doing the Okinawan dances. (I guess it helps that I'm Okinawan, too.) The Okinawan group tries to preserve the traditional dance motions and music that you might have seen and heard in Okinawan villages a century ago.

I'm working on a post with pictures of last weekend's bon dance adventures at the Jikoen Temple. I'll drop a line here when it's up. :)

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