Bon Odori - 盆踊り

Bon Odori – 盆踊り

EXIF information
model DMC-FZ28
exposureTime 0.025 s (10/400) (1/40)
fnumber f/3.6
DateTime 2009:08:02 18:08:05
aperture 2.8284271247462
flashUsed No
focalLength 21.60 (216/10)
flength35mm 122
resolution 3648x2736
Bon Odori (盆踊り, meaning simply Bon dance) is a dance performed during Obon, a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors.

Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to express the effusive welcome for the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a respective local Bon dance, as well as different music accompanying the dance. The music can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min'yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region.

Even though this Bon Odori festival, held by the Meguro train station in Tokyo, occurred the first weekend of August, Obon this year is actually not until the week of August 16. The other noticeable aspect, apparent from the photo, is that the dance is usually performed by oba-san (old ladies), although anyone is welcome to join.

第２６回盆踊り大会
東京都目黒駅前

2. August 2009, 18:08 show comments (0) Posted in: Cityscape/Urban,Japan,Matsuri/Festival,People,Tokyo The permalink address (URI) of this photo is: http://peterjacobs.megurosystems.com/2009/08/02/bonodori-%e7%9b%86%e8%b8%8a%e3%82%8a Full size image