JAPANESE HERITAGE CELEBRATED AT FESTIVAL.Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer Ceremonial dancing, displays of bonsai bonsai (bōn`sī), art of cultivating dwarf trees. Bonsai, developed by the Japanese more than a thousand years ago, is derived from the Chinese practice of growing miniature plants. trees and handmade dolls, taiko
Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. The traditional festival is a memorial for dead family members, and Japanese Buddhists believe it is a time when the spirits of the dead visit the Earth. But rather than being a solemn occasion, Obon is punctated punc·tate also punc·tat·ed adj. Having tiny spots, points, or depressions. [From Latin p by celebration and is known as the Festival of Joy. ``It's essentially to celebrate the fact that those who have passed on have been a part of our lives, and if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be here either,'' said Craig Kawamoto, 35, who works in sales and is a member of the temple. In the Japanese folk-dancing performed Sunday at the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Pacoima, participants told the stories of fishermen or coal miners in a presentation that was more cultural than religious, Kawamoto said. ``This year there is a dance that commemorates the Olympics because it's an Olympic year,'' said Kawamoto, a Woodland Hills resident. The festival also featured handmade Japanese dolls dressed in kimonos, and food lovers could chose from sushi, udon u·don n. A thick Japanese noodle made with wheat flour, usually served in soup or broth. [Japanese, wheat noodle.] noodles and teriyaki ter·i·ya·ki n. A Japanese dish of grilled or broiled slices of marinated meat or shellfish. [Japanese : teri, glaze + yaki, to broil.] Noun 1. chicken, plus some non-Japanese offerings. There was also an exhibit of bonsai trees. Obon is celebrated in July in some parts of Japan and in August in others, depending on whether a solar calendar or a lunar calendar is used. In the Los Angeles area, the festival is celebrated over several weekends, with different temples each choosing a different weekend to hold festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . Hongwanji Buddhist Temple member Ray Itaya, 73, of Chatsworth is a third-generation Japanese-American whose wife is from Japan. ``I've been to one of the ceremonies over there. It's actually quite similar,'' he said. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Bonsai keeps a mature juniper dwarfed. Examining it Sunday in Pacoima are Hiroshi Yamaguchi, left, and Akira Kimura. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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