Japanese Leadership prepare for Bon Odori Festival

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For many Americans and Japanese, open base festivals like Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Bon Odori are a great time to come together to celebrate Japanese culture and tradition.

With taiko practices beginning in early June, those chosen to represent the American drummers at the annual festival in late August will play alongside their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts.

This year NAF Atsugi’s Executive Officer Matthew Ligon and Commander, Fleet Air Forward (CFAF) Deputy Commander Capt. Gary Deal will join JMSDF Commander, Fleet Air Force Vice Admiral Makoto Sato and Fleet Air Wing Four Operations Officer Rear Adm. Yoshikazu Morita as taiko performers during the Bon Odori Festival.

“I am really excited to have a chance to play the taiko drums this year,” said Ligon. “It really is a great chance to take part in such a fun and important part of the Japanese culture.”

Ligon isn’t the only one excited about getting to play. With the main part of the event each year being split between the women’s Awa Odori dances and the men’s taiko drumming, most of the base visitors will get to see more drumming than in past years.

“This year we’re really excited about adding CFAF leadership into our list of partners in the taiko drumming,” said Host Nations Relations Protocol Officer Ikumi Tanaka. “This is the first time that we’re able to incorporate other commands in this part of the event and that’s very exciting for me.”

Taiko is not the only place where different groups are able to come together to put on a show. The women’s Chidori-ren dancing will feature women from several JMSDF squadrons and two NAF Atsugi spouses.
“When I heard Americans could sign up, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance,” said Chidori-ren dancer Gaby Colindres. “The dances are difficult, but it really is a rewarding experience getting to be out here with all of the ladies.”

Her excitement was shared by many, especially the taiko drummers’ sensei.

“For me, having the chance to share my knowledge and love of taiko not only with other Japanese people, but with Americans as well makes me very happy,” said Taiko Sensei Sachie Koizumi. “When you get to be as old as I am, festivals and activities like this become so much more important. Even the simple act of engaging one another in something like taiko can send a loud message for all those present to hear.”

DVIDS - News - American and Japanese Leadership prepare for Bon Odori Festival

 

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What is Obon Odori Festival

Obon is one of the most important Japanese traditions. People believe that their ancestors' spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their family during Obon and pray for the spirits. For the reason, Obon is an important family gathering time, and many people return to their hometowns.

Obon was originally celebrated around the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Obon periods are nowadays different in various regions of Japan. In most regions, Obon is celebrated around August 15, and it typically begins 13th and ends 16th of August. In some areas in Tokyo, Obon is celebrated around July 15, and it is still celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar in many areas in Okinawa.

Japanese people clean their houses and place a variety of food offerings such as vegetables and fruits to the spirits of ancestors in front of a butsudan (Buddhist altar). Chochin lanterns and arrangements of flower are usually placed by the butsudan.

On the first day of Obon, chochin lanterns are lit inside houses, and people go to their family's grave to call their ancestors' spirits back home. It's called mukae-bon. In some regions, fires called mukae-bi are lit at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits. On the last day, people bring the ancestor's spirits back to the grave, hanging chochin painted with the family crest to guide the spirits. It's called okuri-bon. In some regions, fires called okuri-bi are lit at entrances of houses to send the ancestors' spirits. During Obon, the smell of senko incense fills Japanese houses and cemeteries.

Toro nagashi (floating lanterns) is a tradition often observed during Obon. People send off their ancestors' spirits with the lanterns, lit by a candle inside and floated down a river to the ocean. Also, bon odori (folk dance) is widely practiced on Obon nights. Styles of dance vary from area to area, but usually Japanese taiko drums keep the rhythms. People go to their neighborhood bon odori held at parks, gardens, shrines, or temples, wearing yukata (summer kimono) and dance around a yagura stage. Anyone can participate in bon odori, so join the circle and imitate what others are doing.

Obon is not a Japanese national holiday, but many people take vacations during this time. Mid-August is the peak travel season in summer.

 

[Aepsilons]

 

[kalu_miah]

What is Obon Odori Festival

Obon is one of the most important Japanese traditions. People believe that their ancestors' spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their family during Obon and pray for the spirits. For the reason, Obon is an important family gathering time, and many people return to their hometowns.

Obon was originally celebrated around the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Obon periods are nowadays different in various regions of Japan. In most regions, Obon is celebrated around August 15, and it typically begins 13th and ends 16th of August. In some areas in Tokyo, Obon is celebrated around July 15, and it is still celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar in many areas in Okinawa.

Japanese people clean their houses and place a variety of food offerings such as vegetables and fruits to the spirits of ancestors in front of a butsudan (Buddhist altar). Chochin lanterns and arrangements of flower are usually placed by the butsudan.

On the first day of Obon, chochin lanterns are lit inside houses, and people go to their family's grave to call their ancestors' spirits back home. It's called mukae-bon. In some regions, fires called mukae-bi are lit at the entrances of houses to guide the spirits. On the last day, people bring the ancestor's spirits back to the grave, hanging chochin painted with the family crest to guide the spirits. It's called okuri-bon. In some regions, fires called okuri-bi are lit at entrances of houses to send the ancestors' spirits. During Obon, the smell of senko incense fills Japanese houses and cemeteries.

Toro nagashi (floating lanterns) is a tradition often observed during Obon. People send off their ancestors' spirits with the lanterns, lit by a candle inside and floated down a river to the ocean. Also, bon odori (folk dance) is widely practiced on Obon nights. Styles of dance vary from area to area, but usually Japanese taiko drums keep the rhythms. People go to their neighborhood bon odori held at parks, gardens, shrines, or temples, wearing yukata (summer kimono) and dance around a yagura stage. Anyone can participate in bon odori, so join the circle and imitate what others are doing.

Obon is not a Japanese national holiday, but many people take vacations during this time. Mid-August is the peak travel season in summer.

Is it similar to Chuseok?
Chuseok - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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Is it similar to Chuseok?
Chuseok - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, they are both similar. This festival is an example of how Japan and Korea take seriously , still, the concept of Filial Piety.

This is a Confucian culture concept.

 

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Festival time...

 

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Festival time...

Best part after Odori is.....family get together and FOOD!