Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Taiko drummers perform for the crowd as a part of the 48th annual Negishi Bon Odori...... read more read more
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Family and friends gathered with host nation guests as Fleet Activities (FLEACT), Yokosuka Negishi Housing Detachment opened its gates to kick off the 48th annual Bon Odori Festival, Aug. 17.
In front of distinguished guests such as Director of Yokohama Naka-Ward, Akihiko Mikami, Director of Yokohama Isogo Ward, Muraji Sakamoto, House of Representatives, Japan, Jun Matsumoto, guests from the Kanagawa Prefecture Office, Yokohama City Office, Japan-America Society of Yokohama, and Yokohama Country & Athletic Club, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Capt. David T. Glenister, addressed the crowd at his first official engagement since assuming command.
“This is my first time being here for this event, and my family and I are honored to be a part of it,” said Glenister. “I sincerely would like to thank you all for the strong support and mutual cooperation that made it possible for the Negishi Bon Odori Festival to take place, and working together we hope this event will continue for many years to come. I would like to especially thank the people of Yokohama City for taking there time to come to our event tonight despite of their busy week with the Mayoral election.”
In all, over 5,500 visitors braved the heat to taste barbeque and various other foods at concession stands. Air toys were provided and the Equine Museum of Japan had two ponies on display for children to sit on.
“Our community relationship with Yokohama is very solid and strong as represented in on-going various joint community activities, and I look forward to strengthening those ties during tenure as Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka,” said Glenister. “It is through events like today’s Bon Odori Festival that we celebrate our cultural differences, and in so doing, we learn that we are not that different.”
Performances were on display by The Admiral Band, a ukulele performance by the duo act Bell and Leo, with Sagamai Dragon Drummers playing Taiko drums, ending with a climactic Bon Odori folk dance.
Glenister pointed out the importance of continued connection between the host nation and the service members.
“We look forward to supporting the “Hello Yokohama” Festival that will be held in October,” said Glenister. “Our people are committed to participating in various community events in the near future such as the Yokohama Foreign Cemetery clean-up, a Halloween event, and many other local festivities and opportunities to work together.”
Obon, or Bon, is a Japanese Buddhist custom meant to honor the spirits of a person’s ancestors. This Buddhist-Confucian custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors’ graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars.
It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, commonly known as Bon-Odori, meaning simply Bon dance.
Originally a Nenbutsu Buddhist-sect folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region within the country.
Each region has a local dance, as well as different music.
`The music can be songs that is specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min’yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region.
“I understand that this “Obon” season is a very special time for all Japanese to welcome the spirits of their ancestors, and the “Bon Dance” is a means of comforting and entertaining the souls of their ancestors,” said Glenister. “While this is my first Bon Odori Festival, the importance of acknowledging our link to our past is universal, as is the importance of acknowledging the link to our future – our children – and it is wonderful to see so many smiling faces here today. Also tonight, as we enjoy this Festival, we celebrate the long-standing friendship with the Japanese community.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.23.2013 04:00 |
| Story ID: | 112466 |
| Location: | NEGHISHI/YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Negishi Detachment holds 48th annual Bon Odori Festival, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
