Each summer a Japanese Summer Festival is held in Anchorage Alaska While it is sponsored by the Japan Alaska Association and Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage other Japanese related organizations participate. These include JACL (Japan American Culture League, the Anchorage School District's Japanese Immersion Program, the Japanese School, and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Anchorage.
The festival features Japanese food and performances by Taiko Drummers, Japanese Musicians playing traditional instruments and even Sumie ink painting. The highlight of the festival is the Bon Odori Dance
ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF BON ODORI
While most Japanese festivals have their origin in Shinto, Japan's traditional religion, during the August Bon season the Bon dance (in Japanese Odori) has its roots in Buddhism that was imported to Japan some 500 years ago. The Bon season itself constitutes a time period when the spirits of the dead are welcomed to return with the dance itself having originated from a Buddhist ritual involving dancing and chanting know as Nembutsu Odori.
Today, however, that Buddhist ritual has evolved into a dance that resembles a cross between a Western Line Dance and a Hawaiian Hula Dance. As with the Hula, hand gestures are evident, and like with the Line Dance, rapid footwork is included as one dancer follows another. It blends folklore, spirituality, and most importantly community as everyone is invited to join in and participate. Many wear traditional Japanese dress including yukata or hapi coats which, along with the upbeat rhythm of the music, adds a festive flare.
LINKED HERE IS MY PLAYLIST FROM THIS WEEKEND'S JAPANESE SUMMER FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES CHILDREN PRACTICING STEPS FOR THE BON DANCE, THE BON ODORI ITSELF, AND SUMIE DEMONSTRATION AS AN INK DRAWING IS COMPLETED WHILE TRADITIONAL JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS ARE PLAYED:
Link to Playlist of Videos from Alaska's Japanese Summer Festival:
(Each video should play in succession. Otherwise click "Play All.")
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coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
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INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
WELCOME TO ALASKA'S JAPANESE SUMMER FESTIVAL
Each summer a Japanese Summer Festival is held in Anchorage Alaska While it is sponsored by the Japan Alaska Association and Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage other Japanese related organizations participate. These include JACL (Japan American Culture League, the Anchorage School District's Japanese Immersion Program, the Japanese School, and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Anchorage.
The festival features Japanese food and performances by Taiko Drummers, Japanese Musicians playing traditional instruments and even Sumie ink painting. The highlight of the festival is the Bon Odori Dance
ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF BON ODORI
While most Japanese festivals have their origin in Shinto, Japan's traditional religion, during the August Bon season the Bon dance (in Japanese Odori) has its roots in Buddhism that was imported to Japan some 500 years ago. The Bon season itself constitutes a time period when the spirits of the dead are welcomed to return with the dance itself having originated from a Buddhist ritual involving dancing and chanting know as Nembutsu Odori.
Today, however, that Buddhist ritual has evolved into a dance that resembles a cross between a Western Line Dance and a Hawaiian Hula Dance. As with the Hula, hand gestures are evident, and like with the Line Dance, rapid footwork is included as one dancer follows another. It blends folklore, spirituality, and most importantly community as everyone is invited to join in and participate. Many wear traditional Japanese dress including yukata or hapi coats which, along with the upbeat rhythm of the music, adds a festive flare.
LINKED HERE IS MY PLAYLIST FROM THIS WEEKEND'S JAPANESE SUMMER FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES CHILDREN PRACTICING STEPS FOR THE BON DANCE, THE BON ODORI ITSELF, AND SUMIE DEMONSTRATION AS AN INK DRAWING IS COMPLETED WHILE TRADITIONAL JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS ARE PLAYED:
Link to Playlist of Videos from Alaska's Japanese Summer Festival:
(Each video should play in succession. Otherwise click "Play All.")
https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfaJkRwAd1-r5HmRo6gtmghD
Concurrently taken Photos at the Japanese Summer Festival: