Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Obon Season is coming!
Obon Schedule for 2008
Want a cultural event, Japanese Style?
go visit the OBON. It is Japanese culture at it's best in America.
Obon is Japanese style dancing. Anyone can try it. They have practices for each one which start up about a month or so before the actual Obon. It is great exercise, without being very strenuous, and you will have fun with others learning Japanese style dancing.
At the Obon, you can get dressed up in a Kimono or wear a Hapi coat and dance in the street or in the parking lot of the temple. You can, afterwards, enjoy Japanese style foods like Chicken Teriyaki or Shish-kabob sticks of beef or chicken, or sushi, sushi rice (no fish), and veggies.
For a more cultured event, you can also visit the exhibits. Many Obons have flower arranging, and bonsai exhibits as well as art displayed. They might have Origami exhibits! Some also have vintage Kimonos on display.
For those of you who don't know about Kimonos, wearing a Kimono is a very traditional style of dress in Japan. Many contemporary people in Japan have never worn the traditional Kimonos, which can take at least an hour or more to get dressed. The colorful Kimonos, (the pretty ones) are for the young unmarried girls, and the more drab two tones Kimonos (usually navy and white) are for the married, older women. (like the flowers attracting the bees...hint hint)...
The Obi is a stiff belt or sash that is worn around the waist area, and is usually colorful for the young women, and navy or black for the older, married women. I still have my Obi from my grandmother when she bought it for me in Japan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
