Nishi Obon - Dancing 3 (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Dancing 3)

This is a close-up picture of the North side of the dance circle. This dance involves a bit of hopping, almost a slight trot, which is why it looks like the people might have been running. Notice the different colored hapi coats that the people are wearing. Each color represents a different temple. There were many different temples present. It is nice to know that these temples receive support from neighboring communities.

Nishi Obon - Dancing 2 (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Dancing 2)

In this picture, you can see most of the circle. White lines were drawn on the pavement of the parking lot, and people stayed in their respective lanes. The leaders danced in the middle, where all could see them. In this picture, you can barely see the chairs that sat right beyond the roped off area, where people could watch their friends and family dance.
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2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Dancing 2

In this picture, you can see most of the circle. White lines were drawn on the pavement of the parking lot, and people stayed in their respective lanes. The leaders danced in the middle, where all could see them. In this picture, you can barely see the chairs that sat right beyond the roped off area, where people could watch their friends and family dance.

Nishi Obon - Dancing 1 (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Dancing 1)

Nishi's bon odori circle was huge, both in size and in the number of dancers! I have never seen one bigger. There were so many people, and they all surrounded the "yagura" in the middle, which housed the taiko players accompanying the music.

Nishi Obon - Boba (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Boba)

The Nishi obon was a perfect example of how cultures can come together and co-exist. In this case, they co-exist through food. Boba, a favorite drink of mine that originated in Taiwan, was sold at this Japanese American event. I was so excited!

Nishi Obon - Bingo (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Bingo)

The organizers at Nishi transformed their gym into a gigantic bingo room. This room was easy to find, air conditioned and had enough room for hundreds of participants. This goes to show just how popular bingo is among obon attendees.

Nishi Obon - Ring Toss Game (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Ring Toss Booth)

At this game booth, one was supposed to toss a ring around the neck of a bottle to win a prize. The prizes are displayed on the table in front of the bottles. It is interesting to see how one woman, in her traditional "yukata" is playing alongside the children in their everyday, casual attire.

Nishi Obon - Beer Garden (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Beer Garden)

This is Nishi's beer garden. It was a specially designated space where one was allowed to drink alcohol. This special space was important, for like Zenshuji Soto Mission, there were many children at this event.

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2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Beer Garden

This is Nishi's beer garden. It was a specailly designated space where one was allowed to drink alcohol. This special space was important, for there were many children at this event.

Nishi Obon - Udon and Bingo (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Udon and Bingo)

The Nishi obon provided Bingo as a form of entertainment for thier guests. The bingo took place in the gym, and when I went in, most of the tables were full of people. I also saw bingo at both the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple obon and the Zenshuji Soto Mission obon. It is a common obon activity, and a favorite among the people. The Nishi obon also served udon, like the Zenshuji obon did. Both temples had the udon eating-area indoors, rather than outdoors, and provided ceramic bowls for their guests.

Nishi Obon - Hot Dogs and Chili (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Hot Dog Booth)

It was amazing to see how non-Japanese American foods are being integrated into the Japanese American obon festivals. This booth provided hot dogs and chili, two foods that reminded me of the typical American barbeque food.

Nishi Obon - Okinawa Dango (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Okinawa Dango)

Nishi, just like the other obons I have attended this year, was selling Okinawa dango, and it smelled delicious. It is a favorite among the youth, and I look forward to it every time I go to an obon.

Nishi Obon - Basketball Game Booth (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Basketball)

This basketball game booth was one of many game booths at the Nishi obon. Some other booths included a ping pong toss booth, a fishing booth, and a bingo area. These games and activities kept people busy until the dancing began.

Nishi Obon - Farmer's Market (2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Farmer's Market)

Nishi's obon was quite big, in square footage, in number of attendees, and in number of activities. They were even able to bring out a farmer's market booth, full of produce and flowers.
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2007 Nishi Hongwanji LA Obon - Farmer's Market

Nishi's obon was quite big, in square footage, in number of attendees, and in number of activities. They were even able to bring out a farmer's market booth, full of produce and flowers.

Zenshuji Obon - Zendeko (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon - Zendeko)

Zenshuji Soto Mission has its very own taiko team, Zendeko. They are a very prestigious group, and have performed for and with many notable musicians and world leaders in the past, including the Emperor and Empress of Japan, President George Bush, Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama. They played three powerful and entertaining songs at the obon on Sunday. This is a picture of the opening of their first number.

Zenshuji Obon - "Zen Sushi" (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon "Zen Sushi")

This item from the Zenshuji obon was cleverly called "Zen Sushi." It tasted wonderful, and it was filling too. I could not eat the entire thing by myself!

Zenshuji Obon - Udon (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Udon)

One of the many foods available at the Zenshuji obon was udon. As is depicted here, udon is often served in ceramic bowls, and the bowls are returned once finished. I was told that the udon was quite tasty!

Zenshuji Obon - Teriyaki Combo (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Teriyaki Combo)

Teriyaki plates are common, and much anticipated, at obon festivals throughout California. This specific plate at the Zenshuji obon consisted of beef, white rice and a small salad. Although I didn't eat any, it looked delicious!

Zenshuji Obon - Rummage Sale (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Rummage Sale)

Many obons in California are accompanied by some sort of sale. This sale is often crowded and popular among the people. At this rummage sale, there were purses, dishes, flowers, clothes and suitcases, as well as many other smaller items. And, of course, it was crowded.
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2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Rummage Sale

Many obons in California are accompanied by some sort of sale. This sale is often crowded and popular among the people. At this rummage sale, there were purses, dishes, flowers, clothes and suitcases, as well as many other smaller items. And, of course, it was crowded.

Zenshuji Obon - Beer Garden (2007 Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Beer Garden)

I was not surprised that the Zenshuji obon had a Beer Garden, a designated area that permitted the consumption of alcohol. People often drink at festivals and group events such as this festival. There were many children present throughout the day, so it was responsible of the coordinators to seclude this area.

Zenshuji Obon - Tamale Booth (Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon Tamale Booth (2007))

Southern California obon festivals offer a very wide variety of food, as is apparent through this picture. The tamale, a traditional Latin American food, has clearly made its way into the diet of the Japanese American community.

Zenshuji Obon - Okinawa Dango, Tacos and Snow Cones (Zenshuji Soto Mission Obon, Okinawa Dango and Taco Booth)

Various types of food were available at the Zenshuji obon on Sunday, July 8, 2007 including okinawa dango, tacos and snow cones!