3/1/2023 0 Comments The bon dance in hawaii“I believe with our dedicated Sangha members and Rev. “Looking 125 years into the future, what will be said about Kona Hongwanji?,” asked Nagai. The temple will also start to fill a time capsule that will be “buried” for 50 years. A luncheon followed with Affirmation Rites, people receiving their Buddhist name, wrapping up the festivities. The parade was followed by a service officiated by Kona-born and raised Matsumoto. These processions are traditionally done for major celebrations. The festivities continued Sunday morning with a Chigo parade featuring Hawaii’s beautiful keiki dressed in Chigo kimonos and adornments, representing heavenly beings. “As we celebrate 125 years of serving the community, Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple remains dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Neumbutsu so that we can realize a society in which everyone is able to live a life in harmony, peace, and gratitude,” said Bishop Eric Matsumoto. Due to the pandemic, temples across the island decided to cancel the celebration that honors ancestors, however, Kona Hongwanji decided to include the dance in the anniversary celebration. Kyodan President Linda Nagai said Obon season is usually in the summer from July to August. The dance drew hundreds and was the only such gathering this year in West Hawaii. Dancers from keiki to kupuna, some dressed in traditional garb, proved they remembered the hand movements and steps that accompanied each song despite the pandemic-induced hiatus to the traditional event. On Saturday evening, the temple kicked off the celebration with its first Bon Dance since 2019 featuring the Taiko Drum Group providing the rhythmic beat under the light of paper lanterns. Today, 200 member families and several affiliated groups such as the Buddhist Woman’s Association, Shinwakai (men’s group), Dharma School, Boy Scout Troop 59, Cub Scout Pack 12, Judo Club, Junior Young Buddhist Association and Taiko Group call the temple home. The current mission houses the temple, a parsonage, social hall, kitchen and preschool. Within two years, the mission was moved to Kainaliu and then to it’s current location in Kealakekua in 1906. Click here to watch all of the videos back-to-back.The first members of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple congregation couldn’t imagine that the church would survive a war initiated by its home country that members of their congregation would be interned by their adopted country or that the future generations would be instrumental in the success of Kona coffee.Ī group of Shin Sect Buddhists constructed a simple temple where services could be held. PLEASE NOTE that bon dances are done with circles of dancers with a continuous forward motion. Click here to watch an interview with the OAA’s bon dance instructor, Naomi Endow! The choreography for “Asadoya Yunta” was created by Yoshino Majikina, which was adopted by the Southern District Obon Odori (Buddhist Council) in 2001. Click here to watch a video clip from one of last year’s practices! Please call the OAA at 31 for more information.īackground: 5 of the 6 bon dances are mainly based on the Hawaii-style choreographies from the Young Okinawans of Hawaii (YOH), with minor changes. Practice Schedule: For those who want in-person instruction, please join us at the OAA Center for our bon odori practices (schedule varies year-to-year). All of the songs are very repetitive and will be led by experienced dancers in the inner circle, so just follow along and have fun! To help you prepare, we’ve produced some practice videos for the songs that will be danced at the Picnic. The Okinawa Association of America (OAA)’s Annual Picnic has been a tradition for our members since its first inception in the 1930′s. In addition to delicious bento, cultural performances, high school scholarship awards, raffle drawings, and family games, we host the only Okinawa-style bon odori in Los Angeles! We invite all audience members - regardless of age and experience - to dance with us!
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