Traditional Obon Odori festival celebrates Japanese folk dance

Obon, the Japanese Buddhist summer festival honoring the ancestors, continues on July 18 in Sebastopol with Obon Odori, traditional folk dancing in full costume. Audience participation is welcome.

The dancing will be on the grounds of the Enmanji Buddhist Temple. Participants will be dressed in summer yukatas (like a kimono) and happi coats and will utilize dance accessories like round and folding fans, towels and castanets. The dance steps are easy to follow.

Obon is a family reunion holiday. People return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors’ graves; the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit household altars. Celebrated in Japan for more than half a millenium, it traditionally includes dance, known as Bon-Odori

Refreshments will be available, including Udon, cupcakes, soft drinks, coffee and Imagawayaki cakes.

The event will be from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free.

Anyone who would like to learn the dances prior to the event is invited to attend free lessons and practices Tuesday through Friday, July 14-17 from 7-9 p.m. in the community hall of the temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. 823-2252.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.