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Seattle’s Bon Odori, the Japanese folk-dancing festival, returned last weekend for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Organizers say about 3,000 people attended the 91st annual two-day summer festival.
On July 15, Taiko drums and singing echoed through the streets amid traditional dancing near the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple at the edge of the Chinatown-International District. Onlookers greeted friends and families. For some, it's the first reunion since the pandemic paused such cultural events.
“I can get my grandma, a couple of my aunties, and my mom to come dance with me,” Arika Chinn said. That's why the "really old dances" are her favorite. “It’s really special.”
Chinn was dancing with her family. She's a freshman at the University of Washington and is a fourth-generation Japanese American. She was eating shaved ice, also called “kori,” with extra red beans and extra condensed milk. She has been coming to this event with her family since she was little.
On July 15, Taiko drums and singing echoed through the streets amid traditional dancing near the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple at the edge of the Chinatown-International District. Onlookers greeted friends and families. For some, it's the first reunion since the pandemic paused such cultural events.
“I can get my grandma, a couple of my aunties, and my mom to come dance with me,” Arika Chinn said. That's why the "really old dances" are her favorite. “It’s really special.”
Chinn was dancing with her family. She's a freshman at the University of Washington and is a fourth-generation Japanese American. She was eating shaved ice, also called “kori,” with extra red beans and extra condensed milk. She has been coming to this event with her family since she was little.
Taiko Drums
Posted from kuow.org
Seattle
Japan
Dancing
Drums
Singing
Posted 10 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."As the sun began to set, the lanterns lit up and swayed above the crowd. Dancer’s yukata and kimono sleeves flowed to the beat of the music.
Another Bon Odori dancing festival is planned at the White River Betsuin Buddhist Temple in Auburn on July 22-23. The Tacoma Buddhist Temple will also host a Japanese folk-dancing festival on the last weekend of July."...
..."As the sun began to set, the lanterns lit up and swayed above the crowd. Dancer’s yukata and kimono sleeves flowed to the beat of the music.
Another Bon Odori dancing festival is planned at the White River Betsuin Buddhist Temple in Auburn on July 22-23. The Tacoma Buddhist Temple will also host a Japanese folk-dancing festival on the last weekend of July."...
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It's heartwarming to hear that the Seattle Bon Odori festival made a triumphant return after the pandemic hiatus.
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