By TOMOKO NAGAI
Rafu Staff Writer
More than 450 people attended the annual Obon Festival at Long Beach Buddhist Church on Aug. 29, bringing Southern California’s Obon season to a close.
More than 200 people took part in the evening Bon Odori, forming a large circle that brought together people of all ages and from communities across the region.
The church held Obon, Hatsubon and Manto-e memorial services to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away. Following the services, festival activities began on the temple grounds, including games, food booths, and performances by Umeboshi Ensemble and Long Beach Kokoro Taiko.
The Bon Odori began at 6:30 p.m., drawing dancers not only from the local community but also from Buddhist temples and dance groups throughout Southern California. June Miyamoto Donovan, who led the dancing, said, “This is the last Obon of the summer in Southern California,” expressing her delight at the large turnout of dancers.
Among those who joined the circle were actress Tamlyn Tomita, Bando Hidesomi, who has choreographed the dance for the Nisei Week Japanese Festival for many years, Miles Hamada and James Okazaki, co-chairs of this year’s Nisei Week Ondo Committee. Experienced dancers joined children and older participants, creating a large and lively dance circle.
One of the distinctive features of the church’s Bon Odori is its extensive repertoire of songs. In addition to traditional Bon Odori numbers, the program includes nostalgic Japanese Showa-era songs and contemporary pop music, with dancers moving from one song to the next throughout the evening.
The 37-song lineup included “Tanko Bushi” and “Hanami Ondo,” an original song of the church, as well as “Matsuken Samba II,” “Banzai Venus,” “Happiness,” and songs by Bon Jovi and Southern All Stars.
“‘Sakura Ondo’ is a popular favorite that everyone enjoys, while ‘Ebi-Kanics (Shrimp & Crab)’ was the most unique song this year,” Donovan said. By combining a wide variety of songs, she explained, the organizers hope to “bring all generations together.”
Preparing for Bon Odori is not limited to the Obon season. The church holds dance practices throughout the year as part of “Ondo for Exercise.” Donovan, Thomas Amiya and Naoko Amiya are among those who lead the activities and continue to expand the group’s repertoire. Beginning around July, they stepped up rehearsals in preparation for the Obon Festival, with dancers practicing enthusiastically so that they could fully enjoy the event.
The Bon Odori continued in two sessions, with a break in between, until 8:45 p.m., followed by a raffle and a closing memorial service. As night fell, the dance circle stood out beneath the glow of the paper lanterns. Dancers who had traveled to Bon Odori festivals throughout Southern California gathered for the final circle of the year in Long Beach, bringing the region’s summer Bon Odori season to a close.
After the festival, Donovan reflected on the evening. “With the lights and the moon, it’s a nice atmosphere,” she said. “Our goal is for everyone to have a good time. We’re grateful to everyone who came.”