Getting My Odori On

The SECOND weekend in July is a very important one in my household. That is the weekend of the Obon (a Japanese festival honoring the spirits of ones ancestors) in our city's Japantown. Even though we are not Japanese (a few of us are Chinese, including me), the festival has been a Summer highlight in our family since forever.

This year was even more special because SJT, the greatest Taiko group around, was celebrating their 40th anniversary. What ia TAIKO? Well, basically they are drums that originated in the temples of Japan. Today Taiko groups have elevated Taiko to an energetic artform. I really love SJT. For some reasons, their mix of modern and classical Japanese rhythms really comfort my little PUGGY soul. I was especially keep to catch their performance.

Auntie B came by to get us. I was all ready in my special KIMONO. It is not necessary to wear traditional clothing to the OBON. Most people attend in everyday clothing. Kimonos and Happi are donned for dancing the Odori (Japanese traditional dance), though.

First up - the food court. FOOD????? Oh yes. We are talking Sushi folk. If you recall my Mommy #2 make

me some sushi now and then. It is simply seasoned rice (sushi) wrapped in seaweed (nori). But I loves loves loves it. We also tried a little Iwanaga-yaki which is a waffly thingy with sweet red bean in the middle. I only got a little - I didn't want to pop my OBI from too much good food.

By the time we finished, it was time for SJT. They were GREAT, as usual. It was hot and sunny on the streets where they performed; but you would never know it by the energetic way they played. At one point they motioned for me to join them. OMP!!!! A dream come TRUE!!!!

What an honor!!!!

After SJT concluded their wonderful performance, it was time for the CHIDORI band to play and shortly afterward, the ODORI began. The Odori is really cool because all of the dancers enter the stage area by DANCING down 5th Street. Close you eyes and imagine a HUNDRED (it seems) kimono clad dancers slowly making their way down the street while performing a classical dance. It was AWESOME!!! I really think this is my favorite part - aside from the food, that is. Afterward, we ate some MOCHI ice cream which was the perfect SWEET note to end our Obon adventure.