Festival of Obon...

It's rather difficult to have blogs about things other than water or mountains here in Hawai'i, which is why I'm excited to write this post due to it's cultural experience: The Festival of Obon!   

A new friend who works in my building, Sam, told me to visit the festival since she was volunteering at it.  Michael had just flown in to visit so I dragged him and my roommate, Dave, along too.  The food was excellent and we were welcomed, despite sticking out like a sore thumb (if only we had happi coats).  People thought we were just random tourist, which I guess was partially true.  

Nerd Alert!  Skip to the pictures if you want to avoid the amateur history lesson.  Obon festivals are common here in Hawai'i due to the large population of Japanese-americans and Buddhism.  In short, the Obon festival initially developed as a religious time where Buddhist lit lanterns in order to show their deceased ancestors 'the way.'  The literal translation for 'Obon' is lantern, referring to the lanterns hung around the temple during this time.  Hundreds of years later it has become more of a family/temple reunion honoring their ancestors.  This happens at various Buddhist Temples across the islands during the summer months.  

While rooted in religion, it is now more of a festival where they invite people of all faiths to come celebrate the general idea of ancestry.  They dress up in their happi coats (Japanese coats), don their wooden slippers, pound on the Taiko Drum (translates to great or wide drum...it's a really big drum) and dance around the Yagura Tower (a big tower the lanterns are strung from).  The music was pretty neat and focused more on drum beats and vocals/chants from singers.  There is a video at the bottom where you can hear the music and see an example of their dancing.

Honestly, it seemed like I was at a Catholic church festival that was placed in the heart of Japan, only with 2 key differences: (1) Buddha statues instead of Jesus and (2) dancing Japanese people instead of drunk Catholics.  Haha...I just could keep the thought to myself! 

I really wanted to hit the Taiko drum while we were there, but I didn't get the inclination that this would be permitted...the drummers appeared to be experts in rhythm, and lets be honest: my rhythm is a bit limited!

Mahalo for visiting.  Enjoy the pictures and a video is at the bottom.

Picture courtesy of Michael.  I'm on the side walking doing the ally to the mission.

Picture of the main dance area.

FL 18, SS 1/13, f/9.0, ISO 1600

Singer in the Yagura Tower

FL 130, SS 1/40, f/6.3, ISO 1600

Buddha Statue

FL 200, SS 1/25, f/4.0, ISO 800

FL 150, SS 1/25, f/6.3, ISO 1600

FL 127, SS 1/25, f/6.3, ISO 3200

Dancers hitting the Taiko drum.

FL 135, SS 1/50, f/4.0, ISO 6400

The dressed up kids were really cute.

This little guy reminded me of a younger "daniel-son"

FL 180, SS 1/35, f/4.0, ISO 3200

Here's a little girl in her happi coat heading out to the dance floor.

FL: 144, SS 1/30, f/4.0, ISO 3200

FL 200, SS 1/8, f/4.0, ISO 800

Here is a video of a dance with the smaller drums.  Not my favorite one of the evening, but the only one that I took video of, so it will at least give you an idea of the event.