OBON FESTIVAL; A CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE BACKGROUND.Byline: Leilani Albano Daily News Staff Writer Accompanied by a group of friends from a Buddhist temple in Sun Valley - all wearing identical jackets called hapis - Fusa Wadamoto didn't seem to mind having to travel to Pacoima on Sunday to pay homage to her ancestors. Fusa, a nisei, or second-generation Japanese-American, was among more than 3,000 Japanese-Americans who made their yearly pilgrimage to the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley 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. Japanese Center for the Obon festival. For many, it's a time to remember deceased loved ones and honor their memory in Bon Odori dances, with performers dressed in traditional clothing. ``They come to dance. It is a social and religious event,'' said Sandra Nobuyuki of the Japanese-American Citizens League, adding that Obon 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. have an intergenerational appeal. ``They want to keep the Japanese culture alive in younger generations,'' she said. Outside the center, pink, yellow and purple lanterns crisscrossed criss·cross v. criss·crossed, criss·cross·ing, criss·cross·es v.tr. 1. To mark with crossing lines. 2. the stage used by the dancers and other performers. Inside, organizers had converted a center classroom into a sushi bar. Many who joined the dancers also wore kimonos or the lighter yukatas. But like other recent festivals, most opted to come in their regular garb. ``We don't live in the olden old·en adj. Of, relating to, or belonging to time long past; old or ancient: olden days. [Middle English : old, old; see old + -en, adj. days. We wear what we like,'' said Kenjo Watanabe, who is president of the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, and event sponsor. Commonly known as the Festival of the Souls, the annual event, which also was held at a West Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, who attended the Obon festival, said it is a way for the newest generations of Japanese-Americans to learn about their culture. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1) Akira Kimura of North Hills demonstrates 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. trimming at the Obon festival Sunday. (2) Ryan Kunisaki, 4, has some fun cooling off with a spray bottle during Sunday's Obon festival at the Valley Japanese Center in Pacoima. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News |
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