Bon Odori, Sat. July 29, All Updates PLUS ENTERTAINMENT

The Temple will continue to update our website as more details are finalized. Recent updates include

ENTERTAINMENT for YOU

After Gates Open

  • Ryukyu Minyo Kenkyusho (Traditional Okinawan Shamisen) under direction of Masanobu Kinjo

  • Shokenji Taiko (Vista Buddhist Temple)

  • Buddhist Temple of San Diego Taiko

Intermission Entertainers

Taiko Extravanza with these great troupes:

  • San Diego Taiko

  • Naruwan Taiko

  • Shokenji Taiko

  • Buddhist Temple of San Diego Taiko

OTHER RECENT UPDATES

Key Information

Schedule

  • 5 p.m. — Gates open at 5 p.m. for Entertainment and Food Vendors. We expect to have several Taiko or Japanese Folk music performers. Up until roughly 6:15 p..m., you may pay your respects at our Buddhist altar in the Hondo (main hall).

  • 6:30 p.m. — Prior to Dancing, Opening Remarks from our supervising minister, Rev. Gregory Gibbs, of the Pasadena Buddhist Temple.

  • 7:20 p.m. — Intermission — Taiko

  • 7:40 p.m. — Dancing resumes.

  • 9:00 p.m. or Earlier — Rev. Gibbs or Rev. Smitty will offer closing remarks.

Please stay after the dance to help us put everything away. More hands make quick work!

Dance Rehearsal Schedule

The dances are even more fun with a little preparation. Here is our current rehearsal schedule. All practices are in our Annex Hall.

  • Wednesdays at 7:00 PM - July 5, 12, 19, and 26

  • Sundays at 11:00 AM - July 9, 16, and 23

Thank You Dance Instructors

These talented men, women and boy help us look good! Thanks go to Avis Honda, Breven Honda, Eugene Hotta, JoAnn Katsuda Hotta, Junko Kajita, Jaden Kruse, Kimberly Kruse, Sue Moribe, Shirley Omori, Ann Ong, and Jamie Shimizu.

What We’re Dancing in 2023

Here are all 19 dances planned. Most will be performed in all ten or so BCA Temple in the Southern District (Southern California and Arizona). We also sneak in several San Diego favorites!

Note: Dances listed, and their order of presentation, subject to change.

  1. Kyo Mo Egao de Konnichiwa (ribbon poles)

  2. Bon Odori Uta

  3. Kangi-e

  4. Ei Ja Nai Ka

  5. Gassho Ondo

  6. Hama Kara Mura Kara Miyako Kara (kachi kachi or clackers)

  7. Hibari Ondo (uchiwa/osensu, folding or rigid fan)

  8. Honen Bon Uta (tenugui, or towel)

  9. Shinran Ondo

  10. Bambutsu no Tsunagari (uchiwa, rigid fan)

  11. Memanbetsu

  12. Hokkai no Abarembo

  13. Shiawase Samba

  14. 1 + 1 (One Plus One) Ondo

  15. Pokemon

  16. Mottainai (tenugui)

  17. Hanabi Ondo

  18. Beautiful Sunday

  19. Tanko Bushi

  20. Bon Odori Uta (repeat)

Watch Opening Dance BTSD Bon Odori 2022

Kyo Mo Egao de Konnichiwa

Here’s a quick flashback to last year, our first Bon Odori after several years of COVID-19 closures.

 
 

Dance Accessories

In the list of dances above, the names of some dances are followed by an item in parentheses. These are traditional items that enhance the impact of the dance, like a fan or towel. We encourage everyone to dance, so don’t worry if you lack a particular item. Information on each follows in alphabetical order.:

Kachi kachi are clackers, a bit like castanets. Dancers will bring their own.

Osensu are folding fans, made of paper and bamboo, or paper and plastic. Dancers will bring their own.

Ribbon poles are used in the first dance and are passed out before the dance and then collected by the Temple.

Tenugui are light, thin cotton towels, folded into a long rectangle which, when not in use, can be worn around the neck. In Japan the versatile towel is sometimes worn around the neck or can be tied around the head as a headband. Dancers bring their own.

Uchiwa are flat fans with a round handle. Dancers may bring their own, and uchiwa may be passed out before a dance and then collected by the Temple.

Where can you purchase these Japanese dance accessories? Japanese specialty shops sometimes carry these items. At the Temple, our Bon Again Asian Resale Shop will be open for the Bon Odori as well as for some practices. The shop may have kachi kachi, osensu, tenugui, and uchiwa for sale, along with yukata, kimono, and other wearables.

Also at the Odori

Jr. YBA Opportunity Drawing. Many prizes, please buy tickets to support the Junior Young Buddhist Association. Proceeds support the Jr. YBA’s activities and programs.

Bon Again Asian Resale Shop. Before and during the dancing, this shop will be open in the one-story Sangha Hall on the South side of our property. The shop includes new and lovingly used, one-of-a-kind Asian itetms, with a big emphasis on clothing. Note: More than in previous years, we have a large selection of women’s kimono, along with some yukata and other wearables. All proceeds benefit the Temple’s Scholarship Fund so that we can provide academic scholarships to our young people.

BT SD