Higashi Honganji’s Obon Festival, which was held in Camarillo last year, returned to Little Tokyo on July 27 and 28.
The event featured food booths offering such dishes as chicken teriyaki, somen, cold tofu, beef bowl, tamales, dango, and shaved ice; games for kids; bingo; a farmer’s market with vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers; a raffle; and cultural performances on the outdoor stage.
Entertainment was provided by Kyo no Kai (Japanese classical dance), Kitsune Taiko, Bombu Taiko, the band Kokoro, and here-andnow theatre company on Saturday; Lumbini Kids, Bombu Taiko, standup comic Michelle MaliZaki, and the Japanese chindonya-style street music group happyfunsmile on Sunday.
Manto-e services were held both days; Obon/Hatsubon service honoring those who passed away during the past year was held on Sunday.
Lanterns with the names of departed loved ones lined the temple grounds.
In his comments during the Sunday service, Rev. Peter Hata reminded members and visitors about the reality of impermanance.
“We are all part of one, ever-changing, ever-flowing,” he explained. “We don’t take our lives for granted, and we try to recognize how precious each moment is.”
Rev. Mayuki Nagamine said Higashi was blessed to once again host their festival at home for the first time in five years. Having recently taken the commission to serve in Los Angeles, she said Obon is very different from the events in Japan.
“We are so happy to welcome the entire community to our temple, for what is definitely an American tradition of Obon,” she said.
Hundreds of dancers participated in Bon Odori on both days, with happyfunsmile performing some of the songs live on Sunday.