Youngsters and adults alike anxiously awaited the intermission at the Lihue Hongwanji Mission bon dance that was held over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the three individuals garbed in red yukata. These three – Gene Oshiro, Gail Shibuya, and
Youngsters and adults alike anxiously awaited the intermission at the Lihue Hongwanji Mission bon dance that was held over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the three individuals garbed in red yukata.
These three – Gene Oshiro, Gail Shibuya, and Mona Lee – were selected because they were born in the year of the Sheep, the Oriental Zodiac sign for the year 2003.
The trio made their way through the throng with sacks laden with plastic eggs filled with candies, and a few containing slips of paper which could be redeemed for gift certificates from community sponsors. As they ascended the ladder to the yagura n the decorated tower in the center of the bon dance ring n youngsters slipped through the rope boundaries of the ring and gathered at the base of the tower, eyes skyward in anticipation of a “rain” of the plastic eggs.
The Rev. Yukiko Motoyoshi said the gesture is done as a show of appreciation by the church for all the support given them by members of the island community. The tossing of goodie eggs reflects the traditional mochi-maki ceremony of Japan that is done to celebrate happy occasions. In Kapaia, there are no sugary mochi cakes, just candies and gift certificates in plastic eggs.
The tossers are dressed in red lightweight summertime-weight kimono’s known as yukata to further enhance the feeling of happiness and gratitude as one of the symbols of happiness and gratitude in the Japanese culture is the color red.
Three bon dances remain in the local bon dance season, which are scheduled by the Kauai Buddhist Council. The council has diversified the attraction by creating “events” at their respective churches that identify them throughout the season. Some of these include the mochi-pounding demonstration conducted by members of the West Kauai Hongwanji’s Koloa Temple during their bon dance intermission. This demonstration is always followed by a tasting session while the supplies last. With a large attendance of visitors from the Po‘ipu area frequenting that event, visitors are glad to be able to taste the morsel that is usually reserved for special occasions throughout the year such as New Year’s and Boys’ Day.
A little ways up the street, the Koloa Jodo Mission sell toro – minature boats – for those wishing to honor their ancestors by taking part in the Toro Nagashi ceremony that takes place at the end of bon season at the Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor outside of Koloa.
At the West Kauai Hongwanji Waimea Temple where the season began this year, the Hui Alu Paranku drummers alternated with the youthful Tsunami Taiko drummers to provide entertainment at intermission. The taiko drummers have the added support of the recently-formed Okinawan Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko unit who perform various kata while drumming. Glenna Ueunten, one of the key coordinators for the RMD unit, makes it a point to have her teru-teru bozo on hand for those events that the drummers perform at. The bozo, as Ueunten affectionately calls the figure, is a cloth doll fashioned with a piece of white cloth and tied off at the head. Its expressive face is said to ward off any threat of rain, and when questioned about its effectiveness, Ueunten is quick to point out how the rain clouds parted when the bozo was present at the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life,” the Lights on Rice parade, and at the bon dance. As further testimony to its effectiveness, the RMD unit did not participate at the Lihue Hongwanji bon dance where rains dampened dancers and spectators on both Friday and Saturday nights.
For those seeking culinary adventure, each bon dance sports its own specialty foods. One of the top items is the flying saucer, which is a special hamburger filling between two slices of toasted bread. At the Waimea Temple’s bon dance, members affectionately labeled their creation “The Flying Dog” after substituting hot dogs and cheese after the hamburger filling ran out.
A big difference between Kaua‘i’s bon dances, and the obon season in Japan, is the timing of the religious event. In Japan, obon generally takes place in about a week’s time, and is known as a time to return to one’s home town.
Luring ancestors back to their homes is part of the bon ceremony. In Japanese cities such as Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, Chinese characters marked out with stakes of wood are lit afire as a beacon to the spirits. Restaurants and other businesses make it a grand affair by serving special roof top dinners so guests can enjoy a meal while watching the huge blazing fires lit on the hillsides that surround Kyoto.
Guide books warn visitors that the week of the peak of bon season is a time to avoid traveling within Japan due to crowded streets and railroads, plus because of the muggy hot weather that time of year is noted for.
The bon dance season wraps up with this week’s event moving to the Waimea Shingon Mission in Waimea Valley. This will be followed by the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission’s bon dance with the Kauai Soto Zenshuji Temple in Hanapepe rounding out the season.
TGI Editor Chris Cook contributed to this report.
