![]() 12, towns and cities hosting Bon dances have likely been planning for months in advance. While the Bon festival starts around Aug. Needless to say, it’s a very exciting time to be in Japan as a tourist! ![]() Today we’ll introduce you to a five things you should know about Obon. Traditional Bon entertainment is so lively, colorful and intriguing that a Bon dance is a must-see on every traveler’s itinerary. Tokushima’s Bon dance, called Awa Odori, for example, draws over one million tourists every year. The Bon tradition gives the country some of the unique dances that Japan is so famous for. This is called Bon (or Obon using the honorific “o”) a holiday period from August 12-16 (exact dates may vary depending upon location), a time when the entire country takes a break to celebrate the “festival of the dead.” It’s a lively few days when the living and the dead can once again unite to eat together, drink together and share good times. While nothing can change death itself, it is comforting to know that in Japan there is a special time of the year when the souls of the dead come back to visit the living. "The whole idea of 'kyozon,' or co-existence, is important.If the idea of your loved ones leaving this earth never to return again seems unfair, then you should consider the Japanese view of the afterlife. "We have to know each other to trust each other," said Matelski. Army Garrison Japan, who arrived in Japan last month and also had his first experience with Bon Odori on Saturday, ensured he made time to attend the Bon dance lessons so that he had all the moves mastered before the festival.Īs commander, Matelski said he considers the building and maintaining of a good relationship with Japan to be very important, and events like the Bon Odori Festival play a large part in making that happen. and Japan going well into the future.Ĭol. Kawasaki said she hopes to welcome the next generation of Japanese community members to keep the traditions and the bilateral friendship between the U.S. "I am very grateful to have been part of Camp Zama's long-celebrated Bon Odori Festival and to have danced with so many Americans for so many years," said Kawasaki. Seeing more and more American participants year after year has been a gratifying experience, she said. Masako Kawasaki, a member of the Zama City Women's Association, has been building a friendship with the Camp Zama community as a volunteer Bon dance instructor for more than two decades. Army Japan Band, children's games, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter display, food vendors and a fireworks show, which immediately followed the event's centerpiece: Bon dancing around a large wooden tower. More contemporarily, it has grown to include dances known as "Bon Odori."Ĭamp Zama's festival included a full day of activities and attractions, such as live music from the U.S. It evolved into a sort of "family reunion" holiday during which people return to ancestral sites and celebrate the memories of those who have passed. "I've always wanted to come to Japan, so I think it's really cool that I am actually making Japanese friends here," said Paredes.īon season in Japan has its roots in a Buddhist custom meant to honor the spirits of one's deceased ancestors. ![]() 3 and said there could not have been a better way to start his tour in Japan than spending time with local residents. Paredes, along with more than 21,000 visitors, attended the event Aug. Jonathan Paredes, who serendipitously arrived in the country just a few weeks before the 60th anniversary of Camp Zama's largest open-post event, the Bon Odori Festival. 7, 2019) - Taking part in a Japanese festival was a bucket-list event for Sgt. Army) VIEW ORIGINALĬAMP ZAMA, Japan (Aug. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. More than 21,000 people attended the open-post event, which included a full day of activities and attractions, such as live music from the. Camp Zama community members dance in a circle during the installation's 60th annual Bon Odori Festival Aug.
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