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.")
What I won't do for a photo? In the past I have confronted moose, bear, and most recently a pair of porcupines without injury. However, this morning it was a much smaller creature that got the best of me. I am still smarting from the bee sting that accompanied my taking of the below photo of the near to Anchorage volcano Mount Spurrr that continues to threaten to erupt. (Officially it remains at Aviation Code Yellow, "Advisory" per the Alaska Volcano Observatory which notes that, " low-level unrest continues with occasional small earthquakes occurring beneath the volcano.")
I had just stepped out onto my office balcony to capture the clearest view of Mount Spurr that I had seen since returning from early summer travels. Just as I snapped the below photo I felt a sharp pain just below my left thumb and when I looked down after getting the photo there was a stinger laying there on the enare eminence a/k/a ball of the thumb.
After flicking it off and subjecting my hand to running cold water and antiseptic, I checked with Google's AI to see what steps needed to be taken. That is when Iearned that the culprit was a bee rather than a wasp or hornet since only a bee leaves its stinger behind. When I asked AI what to take for the now throbbing pain I was instructed not to take aspirin, but rather the non aspirin substitute that fortunately was also in the office's first aid kit. Then all I had to do was wait and see if any of a list of AI identified symptoms should appear that would call for seeking further medical attention. Thankfully there was no serious allergic reaction.
The Bee-utiful Photo from this morning of the Volcano Mount Spurr.
(Note a clear view of Mount Spurr's Summit Crater is even visible.)
And here is my subsequently taken YouTube Video of not only Mount Spurr (seen at the end), but also of a rarely seen magnified view of snow-covered Mount McKinley/Denali and its sister peak, Mount Foraker:
Link to Video of the Snow-Covered Mountains McKinley, Foraker, and Volcano Mount Spurr:
FWIW, here is a link to my music video, taken later in what continued to be a beautiful clear-sky day, that has already garnered over 1,800 views:
Link to Video of unobstructed Mount McKinley and a pair of US Air Force Fighter Jets arriving in tandem at Alaska Air Base in preparation for this week's Trump-Putin Alaska Visit:
TODAY IT STARTED OUT WITH BLUEBERRY PICKING IN SCENIC WHITTIER ALASKA .....
Join in as we experience a memorable day enjoying the beauty of Alaska that began with blueberry picking and hiking on scenic trails but also in this immediately below linked YouTube Playlist includes spectacular views of Whittier's stunning harbor, salmon swimming upstream, and even Alaska's backwards train that traverses Alaska's longest tunnel at over two miles in length.
Link to Video Playlist of A Day Enjoying Alaska's Scenic Beauty:
(Each short video with music accompaniment should play one after another. 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
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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
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Early Harvest
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:
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
CV66 USS America
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Camp Pendleton, California yesterday
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
THE BEE AND ME - AND THE VOLCANO
What I won't do for a photo? In the past I have confronted moose, bear, and most recently a pair of porcupines without injury. However, this morning it was a much smaller creature that got the best of me. I am still smarting from the bee sting that accompanied my taking of the below photo of the near to Anchorage volcano Mount Spurrr that continues to threaten to erupt. (Officially it remains at Aviation Code Yellow, "Advisory" per the Alaska Volcano Observatory which notes that, " low-level unrest continues with occasional small earthquakes occurring beneath the volcano.")
I had just stepped out onto my office balcony to capture the clearest view of Mount Spurr that I had seen since returning from early summer travels. Just as I snapped the below photo I felt a sharp pain just below my left thumb and when I looked down after getting the photo there was a stinger laying there on the enare eminence a/k/a ball of the thumb.
After flicking it off and subjecting my hand to running cold water and antiseptic, I checked with Google's AI to see what steps needed to be taken. That is when Iearned that the culprit was a bee rather than a wasp or hornet since only a bee leaves its stinger behind. When I asked AI what to take for the now throbbing pain I was instructed not to take aspirin, but rather the non aspirin substitute that fortunately was also in the office's first aid kit. Then all I had to do was wait and see if any of a list of AI identified symptoms should appear that would call for seeking further medical attention. Thankfully there was no serious allergic reaction.
The Bee-utiful Photo from this morning of the Volcano Mount Spurr.
(Note a clear view of Mount Spurr's Summit Crater is even visible.)
And here is my subsequently taken YouTube Video of not only Mount Spurr (seen at the end), but also of a rarely seen magnified view of snow-covered Mount McKinley/Denali and its sister peak, Mount Foraker:
Link to Video of the Snow-Covered Mountains McKinley, Foraker, and Volcano Mount Spurr:
FWIW, here is a link to my music video, taken later in what continued to be a beautiful clear-sky day, that has already garnered over 1,800 views:
Link to Video of unobstructed Mount McKinley and a pair of US Air Force Fighter Jets arriving in tandem at Alaska Air Base in preparation for this week's Trump-Putin Alaska Visit:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rCysDBX6XrY
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
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
The Mackinaw Bridge, MI.
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
my wife of 28 yrs (taken at her sisters house)
COINS FOR SALE AT LINK BELOW (READ CAREFULLY)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oqym2YtcS7ZAZ73D6
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
TODAY IT STARTED OUT WITH BLUEBERRY PICKING IN SCENIC WHITTIER ALASKA .....
Join in as we experience a memorable day enjoying the beauty of Alaska that began with blueberry picking and hiking on scenic trails but also in this immediately below linked YouTube Playlist includes spectacular views of Whittier's stunning harbor, salmon swimming upstream, and even Alaska's backwards train that traverses Alaska's longest tunnel at over two miles in length.
Link to Video Playlist of A Day Enjoying Alaska's Scenic Beauty:
(Each short video with music accompaniment should play one after another. Otherwise click "Play All.")
https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLtb5zi734BfYu2q7JePVaQe125jGv9RwJ
SELECTED CONCURRENTLY TAKEN PHOTOS:
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
I found Bugs Bunny in my daughters backyard this morning.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members