Bon Odori!

As mentioned in our previous post, summer is indeed festival season in Japan.  Bon Odori is an annual festival of Buddhist tradition held to honor ancestors. "Odori" means dance in Japanese, so the festivities naturally involve traditional Japanese music, taiko drums and dancing. Every year, the spouses group on base learns several traditional Japanese dances and performs at nearby festivals. Decked out in yukatas (cotton summer kimonos), the group had a blast diving into the local celebrations!
 
The first performance was at a parade in Yamato, a city adjacent to the east side of the base. A troop of experienced dancers led the way while the Americans gave it their best shot :-). It really took Jennifer back to her junior high and high school color guard days on the parade route. This time, however, it was John chasing the group and taking pictures instead of her parents and sister.

Many other impressive dancers took to the parade route while onlookers flooded the sidewalks!

How do you say, "you lead, we'll follow" in Japanese?

John found Jennifer along the parade route!

Unfortunately the second of three "appearances" was cancelled due to an imminent typhoon which never showed its face, but the Bon Odori festival on base triumphed over a small storm that also threatened that celebration. This annual event was particularly special because it was an open base celebration during which anyone from the surrounding communities could come onto the base and participate. The air wing squadrons and various U.S. military groups set up booths to sell food and souvenirs, both of which were extremely popular with the visiting Japanese. Before dancing, the on-stage entertainment included a competitive eating competition with a very enthusiastic announcer (video below, and yes, it turns out these people actually go on tour), a DJ and a live band. Japanese dance groups came to perform in the evening, along with the spouses group and taiko drummers, also from the base. There's really nothing like watching the commanding officer of the entire base pound out a Japanese rhythm in full costume...good times!

Hot dog eating competition - Jennifer was disgusted, John wanted to volunteer.

Long line of Japanese waiting to see U.S. Navy helicopter.

John and Jennifer survey the booths before the dancing begins!

NAF Atsugi dancers performing this year's Americanized dance to "Happy"!

Taiko drummers!

"Fireworks!"

Everyone took turns on stage, leading others in the dances!

 

 

Although the heat, humidity and bugs make summer one of the less desirable seasons, festivals like these make it all worth while!