Closed December 25 & 26, January 1 & 2

Summer means Bon Odori Season

July 16, 2020

Summer means Bon Odori Season

With the world still caught in limbo because of the health crisis, a lot of Japanese Buddhist communities are turning to virtual services and events. Bon Odori, the Obon festival, is typically in summer, and depending on where one lives, can take place sometime in July-August. Some festivals not only welcome our ancestor's spirits, it can include prayers for a good harvest or a certain deity or historical event, but it is always a time for remembrance and thanks. If you this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more about Obon and Bon Odori, we found these links interesting-

Wikipedia Bon Festival

Obon Matsuri 2019 in Chiba

A summer festival at nippon.com

Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple's Virtual Bon Odori info

White River Buddhist Temple Virtual Bon Odori info

https://buddhistchurchofoakland.org/

http://www.tacomabt.org/

https://kauaibondance.org/

As new generations continue old traditions, we can all embrace the message of passing and loving who we are and where we come from.

(The video below is from Tsuru for Solidarity)

(The video below was taken July 2018, Seattle Betsuin, Dancers Doing the Shamisen Slide)