Part of our bon dance posse, taken in 2010. (We miss you, Mom!)
It’s bon dance season and there is one person conspicuously absent from our outings and that is my mom (pictured above in the blue happi coat in 2010). Obon is a time when Buddhists honor the spirits of their ancestors and welcome them home. Although I am a Christian and do not observe the religious aspect of obon, I do view my participation in bon dances as a way to honor and remember my mother and my issei grandparents who passed before I had a chance to know them. My mother was instrumental in developing in me an appreciation and love for the music and dances of Okinawa — and I know that she is looking down at me from heaven and smiling, knowing that I am a part of the effort to keep our culture alive in Hawaii. I am trying to do the same for my own daughter.
Jikoen Hongwanji bon dance, 2012. Photo courtesy of Melissa Chang of Nonstop Honolulu – click the image to read the article and see the photo gallery of images from the evening
This past weekend, we attended the Jikoen Hongwanji bon dance. Our Eisa / Bon Dance group gave it our all and it was such a fun time! Lil’ K and I entered the kachaashii contest where we both were selected as finalists in our divisions – but neither of us came home with a trophy. No matter, because we both enjoyed the experience!
I have video footage that begs to be edited and uploaded, but just have not had the time nor energy to work on it. When I finally get around to it, I will post a link here. In the meantime, please enjoy this video of the Chondara Dance performed by the Young Okinawans of Hawaii, followed by Nembutsu and Kudaka. (Thank you, Joni, for filming this!)
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