This summer, Hawaii Island’s Japanese population will be celebrating the obon season at festivals around the island, and often, the form of that celebration may be more traditional than what’s happening in Japan.
“Actually, in Japan, some places are sort of losing the tradition,” said Daren Katayama, a taiko group instructor at Kona Hongwanji Mission in Kealakekua.
The mission’s festival, from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Keauhou Shopping Center, kicks off the obon festivities in West Hawaii. That celebration is about 85 to 90 percent traditional, with a few newer dance moves, including the Electric Slide, added in.
“In the Kona area, they are becoming more contemporary,” Katayama added. “It’s a way to encourage younger participation. We try to mix the two. We don’t want to switch out completely and alienate our seniors.”
Obon is a time to remember family and friends who have died in the previous year, but it’s not a sad season, Katayama said.
“Obon is the dance of joy,” he said. “Obon essentially is a time to remember those that have passed, in a good way. To appreciate them, celebrating their life rather than lamenting their death.”
The celebration dates back to the time of Buddha, when a disciple’s mother was suffering in hell. Buddha helped release the mother from hell and the disciple, so overcome with joy, began to dance.
Between 300 and 400 people usually attend Kona Hongwanji’s obon event. Katayama said everyone, even people like him with “two left feet” are welcome to come and dance. The mission is offering a variety of Japanese cultural traditions, including taiko drumming and a new Japanese dance Katayama hasn’t even seen yet. He said there’s no particular attire attendees should wear. He plans to wear jeans and a T-shirt, but other people may come wearing happi coats, long-sleeved, traditional coats in colors that represent the temple they attend.
A number of obon events will take place around Hawaii Island now through August. A complete listing of events was not immediately available Tuesday. Some of the events are:
- Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, June 23
- Honomu Hongwanji Mission, June 30
- Puna Hongwanji Mission July 6-7
- Kohala Hongwanji Mission, July 7
- Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, July 13-14, 2012
- Kona Daifukuji-Soto Mission, July 14
- Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, July 14
- Keei Buddhist Church, July 21
- Honokaa Hongwanji Mission, July 21
- Kona Hongwanji Mission, July 28
- Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission, July 28
- Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, Aug. 11
- Naalehu Hongwanji Mission, Aug. 13
- Pahala Hongwanji Mission, Aug. 13
- Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, Aug. 18
- Honohina Hongwanji Mission Highway, Aug. 25