Bon Odori and more sushi. Or sashimi.

Hello, so, I bet some people had of this event call Bon Odori that is going to perform not only Japan but other country as well. People might think that Bon Odori is some fun japanese event with greats things that you saw in tv or anime. Well, its not really that kind of festival that you tot off. They still have people wearing kimono for perform the dance, and fireworks. And for fireworks, is not specific to Bon, it is just something fun to do when everybody gets together. Never point a firework at another person. Always have a bucket of water close by, and make sure all flames and sparks are extinguished. xD. So no worries For cosplay, I don't think they have cosplay in the real Bon festival, somehow, people mixed it up. -.-

Bon Odori is actually a dance, and the dance usually perform during the festival. Ok, so, whats does Bon means? Bon means that welcoming ancestor's souls and holding a memorial service for the souls. Hmm, it come from the believe of Buddhism from China. The Bon week last for a week and The Bon Festival is held during in Bon week, and people gathers at the near open-space or the parks and dance with traditional Japanese music. The music should be happy music to welcome the ancestor's souls and people have a duty to make a happy, mysterious, and welcoming mood. Moreover the Bon Dance should be held in the night because Japanese people believe that ancestors' souls come back in the night. During Bon, sometimes all relatives of family gather and hold a memorial service for their ancestors and enjoy being in a reminiscent mood. It also can be a family reunion for them to visit their ancestor grave or to revisit household alters. So, basically its like a ching ming festival for Chinese but with dance and music. Remind me of fatal frame. >.>

Ok, so, why do we go there for? Hmmm, a lot people might go there because they think is some awesome or cool Japanese festival that they saw in tv. Ok, thats normal. Even I thought of it when I before I find out the real meaning of the festival. Thank you Win Shi for telling me. Ok, some go there for to learn more and know more about Japanese culture, which I think is a good point and I going to the festival this kind of mood. Others just curious about food or to see pretty japanese girls. @.@

So, I feel that is a bit weird to join a festival that welcoming back the Japanese's ancestor soul or spirit back here while we laughing and enjoying eating the food in there and think like a spring or summer festival. Its like asking a foreigner to attend your ching ming but with addition of dance and food. @.@. Maybe its a tribute for the Japanese soldier that fought in here decades ago or for the Japanese the live in here. Well, I think its kinda cool to know and experience this festival, but my point is: Did you really know about the history of Bon Odori before you read this post or you go to Bon Odori? Some people might not even know what is the true meaning of Bon Odori after they went for the festival. I just want people to know about the meaning of Bon Odori and not go there with some other expectation. xD. Maybe its japanese girls or food that attract this event the most.

Hmm, below are some sources about Bon Odori

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival

In case you said that this is wikipedia and people can just edit it whenever or whoever they want. Fine, I will post more resources.

http://www.japan-101.com/art/art_bon_odori.htm <<>

http://webspace.webring.com/people/dr/runker_room/qanda.htm#hbi

So, enjoy the festival and pay more respect to the Japanese's soul.

I still love Japanese. <3