Learning the Bon Odori dance steps at a practice session at the Gardena Buddhist Church in Los Angeles
Aug. 10 - Ann and I recently came across a neighborhood Bon Odori at a shrine near Sendagaya station in central Tokyo. Attracted by the bright red and white lanterns and the sound of taiko drums, we walked through the crowded shrine grounds.
Small children ran about excited by their purchases of plastic masks and headdresses with flashing lights. Vendors sold street food such as fried noodles, cotton candy, and takoyaki (octopus flavored dumplings.) Beautiful ladies wore color cotton yukata, and groups of young men stood around taking in the raucous scene.
Seeing all this reminded Ann and me of Bon Odori celebrations in the United States. Ann has always loved to dance, and ever since she can remember, she has enjoyed the Bon Odori celebration at the Denver Buddhist Church where she grew up.
This is the photo I keep on my desk of Ann in the yukata she wore when she first taught me how to dance at the Bon Odori. This photo was taken at the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Virginia.
Here's Ann with her Dad back in the good old days.
She told me that each year about a month before the Obon celebration, a few of the older ladies from her church taught the children dances. She remembers learning the steps to music such as "Tanko Bushi" (the coal miner dance) and "Tokyo Ondo." After a few practices, she felt much more confident about her dancing.
When I first came to Japan, I was too intimidated by the complicated dance steps to participate, so I usually just watched the dancers. But after our marriage, Ann patiently helped me learn the various steps so that I could dance with her. Now we enjoy Bon Odori whether we are living in Japan or the United States.
Until next time,
Jim
