Click here for Bon Odori music (Windows Media Player) and here for pictures.
During the Bon Odori festival in Seattle, our Japanese American neighbors put on traditional dress and dance in the streets to honor their ancestors. There are taiko drums and snacks and exhibits in the Buddhist temple. It’s also a very welcoming festival – everyone can join in the dance. While the dancers circle the street, there are leaders in the middle where you can see them. The motions are fairly simple. There’s a fishing song that includes the motions of throwing nets in to the sea and pulling them back in, and a digging song, where it’s easy to imagine the shovels. There’s a lantern dance with slow and deliberate motions. Once, when the street was particularly packed, the MC joyfully called out – “Ah, the ancestors are very happy now!”
The religions underpinnigs of the festival are found the story of the monk, Mokuren. While meditating, he saw his deceased mother starving in the Hell of Hungry Ghosts. Any food she touched burst into flames. Mokuren appealed to Shakyamuni Buddha to save her. Shakyamuni told Mokuren that in order overcome his mother’s selfish past life karma, he should feed his fellow monks upon their upcoming return from a retreat. The monk followed Shakyamuni’s instructions and danced for joy when his mother and seven generations of his ancestors were freed from their suffering. (Copied and edited from the San Francisco Buddhist Church site)
It’s a nice morality tale. Feeding your fellow man makes the ancestors happy. And that makes you happy. Seeing our neighbors dancing together in the streets certainly made me happy.
[tags]Bon Odori, Seattle, Japanese culture, dancing[/tags]
Pam,
it was great to see you again! Along with the tale, which has many versions, is this: “In Tribute to our Issei Pioneers” translated by Miyoko Kaneta, Rinban Dr. Hoshu Matsubayashi.
“Far distant in a land vast and wild, bravely toiling the great rocky mountains, in this land of great abundance & wealth, Issei pioneers seeking their livelhood, their fortune, A-a-a memories of our Fathers.
From the wrinkles on her forehead, to the palms of her hands, holding me in her left arm, a hoe in her right hand, A-a-a the unforgettable figure of our Mothers.
We live this day, grateful to our parents, deep emotions now move me to tears, for we would not be here but for them. And today, we stand firmly. Here, on this land”.
In another version of the similar legend you cited, Mogliani (sp) practiced selflessness so that his mother could be released from her suffering. Upon her release, (to the highest level) he danced for joy! The part of the festival you saw was the dancing and joy!
See ya at the picnic! Uncle Ben