Bon Dance

Our local hongwangi put on a bon dance this year. We haven't had one in our town for a number of years, so it was delightful to see it come back. What's a bon dance, you ask? It's a coming together for an obon celebration, a Japanese Buddist event which honors one's ancestors. There are lots of ways to conduct obon activities, and one is through traditional dances. 

Dancers circle a central raised stand. Taiko drummers accompany the music. 

One of the taiko drummer.

I don't know any of the dance moves, but hubby and I enjoyed the music and watching the dancers. 
Many of the people really got into the celebration, creating and wearing headbands, carrying lanterns, and joining the dancers. Not all the dancing was traditional. Modern type Bon dances, and even Zumba, were on the roster. Such fun! Most of the dances were accompanied by taiko drummers, a real show unto themselves. 

People had the opportunity to create their own headbands. 

Happy and ready to join the celebration. 

Before the event wound down, there was a parade of lanterns. People participated to honor an ancestor, or as a remembrance to a special event or person, as a thank you or blessing, or simply as a sharing in spirit of this event. 

This year's bon dance was well attended. It's a local's event, but tourists would be welcome. It's a shame there weren't more tourists there. They missed out being part of the Hawaiian Japanese culture. So if you ever come to Hawaii (or Japan) during August, look for a bon dance to attend. It's worth the experience.