2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Water Distribution

The dancing portion of the obon festival was broken into two halves. During the break, obon administrators and volunteers passed out water bottles to the dancers.

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The dancing portion of the obon festival was broken into two halves. During the break, obon administrators and volunteers passed out water bottles to the dancers.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Uchiwa Distribution

There is a special dance done at festivals that involves the use of an uchiwa, or a fan. Here, an obon administrator distributes uchiwas to those who did not bring their own.

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There is a special dance done at festivals that involves the use of an uchiwa, or a fan. Here, an obon administrator distributes uchiwas to those who did not bring their own.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Dancing 2

This dance involved special wooden clappers, and the temple had some extras for those of us that failed to bring our own. However, many people snapped their fingers in place of flicking a clapper, as you can see in this picture.

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This dance involved special wooden clappers, and the temple had some extras for those of us that failed to bring our own. However, many people snapped their fingers in place of flicking a clapper, as you can see in this picture.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Dancing 1

The dancing began at around 7pm on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. There was one break, and then it continued until 9pm. This is the first obon where I participated in the dancing, and I had so much fun!

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The dancing began at around 7pm on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. There was one break, and then it continued until 9pm. This is the first obon where I participated in the dancing, and I had so much fun!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Taiko

Bombu and Kitsune Taiko performed at the 2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. They performed separately at first, and then together. This picture is from their opening number, which was very relaxed, yet upbeat and very energetic!

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Bombu and Kitsune Taiko performed at the 2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. They performed separately at first, and then together. This picture is from their opening number, which was very relaxed and upbeat.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Performers!

These dancers were really innovative, performing traditional dance to modern music, like the Titanic theme, "My Heart Will Go On."

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This group of dancers was really innovative, doing traditional dance to modern songs, like the Titanic theme, "My Heart Will Go On."

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Face Painting Booth

The obon had many games and activities for the youth to participate in. There was a ping pong toss game, a "catch a balloon" booth, a rubber duckie race booth and this face painting booth. Here, children could get pictures painted on their cheeks, noses, foreheads, etc. Some of the girls had butterflies and rainbows on their cheeks!

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The 2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon had many games and activities for the youth to participate in. There was a ping pong toss game, a "catch a balloon" booth, a rubber duckie race booth and this face painting booth. Here, children could get pictures painted on their cheeks, noses, foreheads, etc. Some of the girls had butterflies and rainbows on their cheeks!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Moon Bounce

This is the first time I've seen a moon bounce at an obon festival. The temple was charging $1 to jump around in the moon bounce. It looked like so much fun!

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This is the first time I've seen a moon bounce at an obon festival. The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple was charging $1 to jump around in the moon bounce. It looked like so much fun!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Bingo

Every obon that I've been to has had some sort of Bingo game going on in a lower level of the church or temple. I suppose people really enjoy it, because the bingo room is always full. This temple's bingo room was in the same area as the udon eating area, so the room smelled really good!

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Every obon that I've been to has had some sort of Bingo game going on in a lower level of the church or temple. I suppose people really enjoy it, because the bingo room is always full. This temple's bingo room was in the same area as the udon eating area, so the room smelled really good!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Dango Booth

The dango booth offered a variety of dango at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. One type of dango that really interested me was the oreo dango. It was basically a deep fried oreo!

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The dango booth offered a variety of dango at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. One type of dango that really interested me was the oreo dango. It was basically a deep fried oreo!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Beef Box Booth

The beef box booth was situated in between the dango booth and the shaved ice booth. The food was so tasty. Everybody that I was with that day purchased one and finished it within a matter of minutes.

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The beef box booth was situated in between the dango booth and the shaved ice booth. The food was so tasty. Everybody that I was with that day purchased one and finished it within a matter of minutes.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Tamale Booth

The tamale booth was very visible, due to its sign with bright green and orange letters. The West Covina Buddhist Temple workers offered chili with their tamales, which was delicious.

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The tamale booth was very visible, due to its sign with bright orange letters. The West Covina Buddhist Temple workers offered chili with their tamales, which was delicious.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Shaved Ice Booth

Like every other obon I've been to, the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon had shaved ice for sale. The shaved ice, or snow cone, booth is one of those things that you can always count on.The shaved ice booth at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon offered a variety of flavors, including cherry, strawberry and raspberry.

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The shaved ice booth at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon offered a variety of flavors, including cherry, strawberry and raspberry.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Somen Booth

These three gentlemen saw the somen booth and immediately purchased one each. It was a hot day, and the somen was refreshing. Somen consists of thin Japanese noodles made of wheat flour, usually served cold.

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These three gentlemen saw the somen booth and immediately purchased one each. It was a hot day, and the somen was refreshing. Somen consists of thin Japanese noodles made of wheat flour, usually served cold.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Making Tamales

I took advantage of the chili option mentioned in the previous slide. This is a picture of one of the workers carefully applying the chili on top of the tamales.

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The tamale booth at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon was hosted by the West Covina Buddhist Temple. There was an option of adding chili to your tamale, so I took advantage of the situation. This is a picture of one of the workers carefully applying the chili on top of the tamales.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Cooking Beef (2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Cooking Beef Boxes)

This grill was behind the Beef Box booth, and it looked so yummy. I was granted special permission to go behind the booth to snap this photo. I then purchased a beef bowl, and it was delicious!

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2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Cooking Beef Boxes

This grill was behind the Beef Bowl booth, and it looked so yummy. I was granted special permission to go behind the booth to snap this photo. I then purchased a beef bowl, and it was delicious!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Manju

Manju, a Japanese confection, comes in many varieties. The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon had delicious manju for sale. It certainly was a treat, for its not often that I get to enjoy manju!

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Manju, a Japanese confection, comes in many varieties. The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon had delicious manju for sale. It certainly was a treat, for its not often that I get to enjoy manju!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Bake Sale

Many obon festivals in Southern California have bake sales, where they sell homemade cookies, brownies, cakes and other sweets. I love baked goods, so I bought a brownie and cookies at the obon. They both satisfied my sweet tooth. :)

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Many obon festivals in Southern California have bake sales, where they sell homemade cookies, brownies, cakes and other sweets. I love baked goods, so I bought a brownie and cookies at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon. They both satisfied my sweet tooth. :)

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Oreo Dango

"Dango" resembles a doughnut hole, as you can see in this picture. It is small and round, and is a real treat. This is the Oreo Dango! I had to try it. It passed the taste test. :)
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"Dango" resembles a doughnut hole, as you can see in this picture. It is small and round, and is a real treat. The Higashi obon was selling a version of dango that I have never seen before, Oreo Dango! I had to try it. It was simply a deep-fried oreo cookie, and it was delicious.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Shaved Ice

This particular shaved ice included sweet beans and condensed milk, and it had already partially melted. :(
This type of snow cone is called "kintoki."
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Like every other obon I've been to, the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple obon had shaved ice for sale. The shaved ice, or snow cone, booth is one of those things that you can always count on. This particular shaved ice included sweet beans and condensed milk, and it had already partially melted. :(

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Tamale with Chili

I'm usually very picky with my tamales. But, this one tasted so good. The chili added the perfect touch. West Covina Buddhist Temple, I salute you.

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I'm usually very picky with my tamales. But, this one tasted so good. The chili added the perfect touch. West Covina Buddhist Temple, I salute you.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Beef Box

The beef bowls at the Higashi obon on Saturday were absolutely amazing. I thought that I had enough time to eat mine, but I really had to rush because the dancing was about to start. :( It was still good though!

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The beef bowls at the Higashi obon on Saturday were absolutely amazing. I thought that I had enough time to eat mine, but I really had to rush because the dancing was about to start. :( It was still good though!

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.

2007 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon - Somen

The chilled somen was a welcome treat for the sweaty and hungry obon attendees. Doesn't it look delicious?
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The Higashi obon had so much food to choose from, including somen, beef bowls, shaved ice and more! The chilled somen was a welcome treat for the sweaty and hungry obon attendees.

The 2007 Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon was held on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. For more information on the temple, please visit The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple website.