Bon festival

Even in the most secluded streets, Bon is a time of year that fosters joy and festivity in the residents of Japan. Celebrated at the peak of summer, the Bon festival celebrates and honors the spirits of ancestors. 

The Bon celebration in the Choenji Temple, Okamoto, Setagaya-Ku, is a very intimate and friendly event. As a foreigner living near the temple, I am often unaware of the dates that the Bon celebrations take place. However, the beating of the taiko (Japanese drums) during the first week of August, indicated the beginning of the festivities, and I knew that the temple was hosting its annual Bon festival. I walked to the temple with the other people in my neighborhood, noticing how some people were dressed in their kimonos and others in their pajamas. Red and white lights and traditional Japanese decorations illuminated the otherwise dark temple grounds. Games and food stalls were assembled around the park where kids made long lines in hopes to win at certain games. One of the most popular games at the festival was “Superball Sukui”, or the “Super Ball scoop game”. The aim of the game is to “scoop” as many bouncy balls from a tub of water using a special scooper. Traditionally, this game has involved scooping goldfish from a tub of water. My personal favorite, however, was the game where you are given a hook to capture a water balloon yoyo.

Neighbors, good or bad at dancing, were all gathered around the yagura, a raised stage assembled for the festival, for the traditional Bon dance. One of my neighbors even encouraged my shy self to join the Bon dance, which I would have never done willingly. The children at the festival, unlike myself, weren’t shy. They were either joining the traditional Bon dance or saving their energy to run wild when a chart-topping J-pop song blasted through the speakers. 

The Bon festival, a colorful and lively time of year, brings out the rich culture of Japan. Even though summer is coming to an end, I am already looking forward to next year’s Bon!