Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo held its 2012 Obon Festival on July 28 and 29. It featured food, a farmer’s market, bingo, games for kids, tea ceremony, a somen-eating contest, cultural performances (emceed by Rodney Kageyama), and Bon Odori.
Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS and J.K. YAMAMOTO
Hundreds of dancers enjoyed doing “Tanko Bushi,” the coal miners’ dance. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
There was plenty of drumming on Saturday as Taikoproject (pictured), Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko and Loma Pacific Taiko performed separately and together. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
The lively “Shiawase Samba” was popular with the kids. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
Games for kids included this one involving rubber duckies and squirt guns. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)
Rinban Noriaki Ito was a good sport, allowing congregation members to toss wet sponges at him (for a fee). A few of them hit their mark. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
Left: Nisei Week Queen Erika Olsen made one of her final appearances before the Nisei Week Festival, where her successor will be crowned. Right: Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi spoke about the significance of Obon in English. The Japanese explanation was given by Rev. Kenjun Kawawata. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
A Manto-e service was held onstage for loved ones who have passed on since the last Obon. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)
New York-based HappyFunSmile performed its blend of enka, minyo and Okinawan pop to kick off the Bon Odori. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)
HappyFunSmile singer Akiko “Kewpie” Hiroshima gets some face time with youngsters enjoying the festivities. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)
Members of Hālau Hula Moani’a’ala Anuhea, ranging from kids to seniors, performed Hawaiian and other Polynesian dances. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)
On the yagura, taiko drummer George Abe kept the beat for the dancers. (MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo)