San Jose's Obon Festival is the largest in the U.S., honoring those who have passed while also serving as a community celebration. The Bon Odori dance unites hundreds in joyful expression. Participants often wear yukata, although it is optional. The festival commemorates a Buddhist story about a monk who helps his mother, a hungry ghost, by creating a feast for friends. The narrative emphasizes community involvement rather than meditation. Dances created by Adrienne Raiko Iwanaga celebrate gratitude for ancestors and feature a variety of dance numbers.
"The Obon Festival is seen as a big party," said Rinban Gerald Sakamoto, who is the head minister of San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, which organizes the annual event.
"The dance portion is a visual symbolism of what the day is. It's a lot of joy and a lot of feeling, like I belong to a community," said Japantown resident Brittany Sicat.
"The instructions were not to meditate more, but to prepare a feast for your friends. Do something for your community," Sakamoto said.
"We dance in joy and gratitude to our ancestors. In Japan, they dance to one number. We dance to many," Iwanaga said.
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