By EMIKO ESSMILLER
RAFU CONTRIBUTOR
Tea ceremonies and kendo demonstrations and taiko performances, oh my!
Valley Japanese Community Center’s annual Obon Festival took place over the weekend of June 22 and 23. This Obon is one of many in SoCal’s large showcase of Japanese culture.
As one of the first in a summer-long celebration, the community center welcomed people of all ages to participate in the festivities.
The center was also rewarded with a certificate of recognition for the festival from the City of Los Angeles, provided by a representative of City Councilmember Imelda Padilla.
Three separate tea ceremony demonstrations were held, boasting skillful matcha-whisking skills while honoring the sacred art of tea-making.
Sun Valley’s Kendo Club offered a masterful demonstration and Q&A session, emphasizing the martial art’s unique ability to hone both one’s mind and body.
As the light turned golden, the Bon Odori began. Kids and adults alike circled the yagura in an elegant flurry of vibrant yukata and happi coats.
When the sun finally dipped below the horizon, dusk began to settle, signaling a break from the dancing and an opening of the taiko performances. With each “don kara,” the lanterns of the yagura began to glow more brightly.
By the time the second session of the Bon Odori started, warm lights from the festival booths bathed the crowd in a comforting glow, providing a wonderful atmosphere for the last moments of the Obon.
Even without the sun of Sun Valley, every participant had a smile on their face when the final song ended.