Chicago Obon and Japanese Folk Dance
Licensing |
Various organizations around Chicago including the Midwest Buddhist Temple, the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, and the Mitsuwa Shopping Center formerly known as the Yaohan hold annual folk dancing Obon Festivals. The Obon is a memorial to the deceased.
Slides in this album |
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Obon at the Midwest Buddhist TempleJapanese Americans of all ages participate in the tradition Japanese dances at the Obon festival at the Midwest Buddhist Temple. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Obon FestivalMany experienced Japanese dancers also participate in the dancing and help to guide others through the sequences at the Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon festival. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Obon at Mitsuwa/YaohanThe Obon festival has been a regular tradition at the Japanese grocery store now know as Mitsuwa in Arlington Hieghts, outside of Chicago. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
YaohanOutside of Yaohan before the name was changed to Mitsuwa. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Yaohan Mitsuwa |
MitsuwaOutside of the same grocery store after its name change from Yaohan to Mitsuwa. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Mitsuwa |
MBT Obon PracticePracticing folk dancing at the Midwest Buddhist Temple before the Obon festival. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Folk DancersA folk dancing group,who help to guide others during the actual festival. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Obon at the Midwest Buddhist TempleBishop Ogui dancing at the Midwest Buddist Temple Obon. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Midwest Buddhist Temple ObonJapanese Americans of all ages along with their multicultural friends participate in the dancing at the Obon festival. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
MBT ObonParticipants dancing at the Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon festival. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo
Obon Festival |
Obon MitsuwaThe Obon Festival, which is celebrated each year at the Mitsuwa grocery store. Courtesy of the Chicago Shimpo |
Matsuri Taiko group and DancersMembers of the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai perform at the Mitsuwa Store in Arligton Heights outside of Chicago. The Mitsuwa was formerly know as the Yaohan. Mrs. Nichols is pictured. Courtesy of Ikuko Nichols |
Obon at the MitsuwaMembers of the Matsuri Taiko Group and Dancers, members of the Okinawa Kenjinkai prepare to dance for the Obon at the Mitsuwa. Courtesy of Ikuko Nichols |
Obon at the MitsuwaThe Obon Festival, which is celebrated each year at the Mitsuwa grocery store. Courtesy of Ikuko Nichols |
1976 Japanese Folk DancersFolk dancers gather for a performance at the Uchimoto's house in Chicago. Courtesy of the Uchimotos |
The Uchimoto's Yaohan Opening CelebrationMrs. Uchimoto in 1992 shown with her husband Ted Uchimoto, founder of the the original Japan Days festival in Chicago and owner of the General Mailing Coporation in the 40's with the daughter of the Yahohan owner. Mrs Uchimoto is the founder of the Wakayagi Shiyu Kai Dancers in Chicago …
Uchimoto's at the Yaohan Opening Celebration |
Yaohan Obon 19871987 Obon dance at the Yaohan. Courtesy of the Uchimotos. |
Obon 1987 YahohanObon dance at the Yaohan in 1987. |
2008 MBT Obon Drummers StageThe center platform of the MBT Obon 2008. Courtesy of Sasha Vasilou.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
MBT Obon Dancers 2008The woman in the green yukata is an expert folk dancer. The other participants watch and follow her lead.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Midwest buddhist Temple Obon 2008Dancers at the MBT Obon 2008.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Obon Members AWA Dance! MBT 20082 members of the MBT did their version of the AWA crazy dance at the 2008 Obon. The children were delighted! The dancer darted through the crowd making silly gestures making the evening a lot of fun.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Taisho Kimono MBT 2008Many dancers wear their version of kimono. Here's a young dancer in a Taisho kimono.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Young Dancers MBT 2008Cute young dancers at the MBT Obon 2008
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Cute Girls in Yukata MBT 2008 ObonYoung dancers
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
MBT Obon 2008Dancers.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
Drummers Stage MBT Obon 2008A drummer keeps the rhythm at the annual MBT Obon. Courtesy of Sasha Vasilou.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |
MBT OBON 2008Teens resting between dances. Every year the MBT passes out ice pops or refreshments between dances.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Obon August 2008 |