UPDATE: Hatsubon & Bon Odori Times & Practice Dates

Please Update Your Calendars

With apologies, the Temple Board of Directors approved changes in the times for our Saturday, July 29, Hatsubon and Bon Odori events. Originally scheduled for 2 and 5 p.m. respectively, and as identified in the June Kaiho (Bussei Script), Hatsubon will now start at 3 p.m. We open our gates for the Bon Odori at 5 p.m. for food and entertainment. The dancing part of Bon Odori will start at 6:30 p.m.

Yes, Not Just for Temple Members

Although we will not widely publicize the event, your friends and extended family members are welcome to join us. This is not planned as a fundraiser — we want our Sangha to experience the Odori — but the Temple plans to invite food trucks to provide dinner options. More details are forthcoming.

Let’s Practice Odori Together

Practice dates are:

  • Wednesdays at 7:00 PM - July 5, 12, 19, and 26

  • Sundays at 11:00 AM - July 9, 16, and 23

Thank You Dance Instructors

The Temple is grateful for these talented Sangha members who guide us in practices and at the Odori itself:

Avis Honda, Breven Honda, Eugene Hotta, JoAnn Katsuda Hotta, Junko Kajita, Jaden Kruse, Kimberly Kruse, Sue Moribe, Shirley Omori, Ann Ong, and Jamie Shimizu.

Dances for Our July Bon Odori

Here is the line up of dances to be practiced at the rehearsals. At the practices, our instructors take turns offering the dances. The first name of the instructor for each dance is also listed.

Note: Dances shown, and their order of presentation, subject to change.

  1. Kyo Mo Egao de Konnichiwa (ribbon poles) - Avis

  2. Bon Odori Uta - Ann

  3. Kangi-e - Eugene

  4. Ei Ja Nai Ka - Kimberly

  5. Gassho Ondo - JoAnn

  6. Hama Kara Mura Kara Miyako Kara (kachi kachi) - Jamie

  7. Hibari Ondo (uchiwa/osensu) - Junko

  8. Honen Bon Uta (tenugui) - Sue

  9. Shinran Ondo - Shirley

  10. Bambutsu no Tsunagari (uchiwa) - Kimberly

  11. Memanbetsu - Jamie

  12. Hokkai no Abarembo - Avis

  13. Shiawase Samba - Breven

  14. 1 + 1 (One Plus One) Ondo- Jaden and Breven

  15. Pokemon - Jaden

  16. Mottainai (tenugui)- Junko

  17. Hanabi Ondo - Shirley

  18. Beautiful Sunday - Kimberly

  19. Tanko Bushi - JoAnn

  20. Bon Odori Uta (repeat)

Accessories

In the list above, some dance titles are followed by an item in parenteses. These are items that enhance the impact of the dance, like a fan or towel. We encourage everyone to dance, so don’t worry if you lack a particular item. Information on each follows in alphabetical order.:

  • Kachi kachi are clackers, a bit like castanets. Dancers will bring their own.

  • Osensu are folding fans, made of paper and bamboo, or paper and plastic. Dancers will hring their own.

  • Ribbon poles are used in the first dance and are passed out before the dance and then collected by the Temple.

  • Tenugui are light, thin cotton towels, in a long rectangle that when not in use can be worn around the neck. In Japan the versatile towel is sometimes worn around the neck or can be tied around the head as a headband. Dancers bring their own.

  • Uchiwa are flat, usually oval fans with a round handle. Dancers may bring their own, and uchiwa may be passed out before a dance and then collected by the Temple.

Where can you purchase these Japanese dance accessories? Japanese specialty shops sometimes carry these items. At the Temple, our Bon Again Asian Resale Shop will be open for the Bon Odori as well as for some practices. The shop may have kachi kachi, osensu, tenugui, and uchiwa for sale, along with yukata and other wearables.

 

We hope you can join us for this Bon Odori ( also known as “Celebration of Joy”) as we dance to express our gratitude for those who came before us.

- Bill Teague, Web Editor

 
BT SD