I was stuck at home with a badly queasy stomach so Art, Tif and KC had to go to the Obon Festival without me. However, Tif took her little compact camera and took these photos for me.
The Obon is a Buddhist Festival to celebrate a day when souls of those who have passed on return to visit their relatives. After the services everyone dresses in their kimonos to dance around a tower where someone sings and you can also hear some taiko drums. My mom's very good friend passed away this year so she especially wanted to be there to offer flowers and prayers to her.
19 month old KC loved being there and enjoying all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Tif says it looks deserted but actually there was a huge crowd. Most of the people were still in the temple for services. Tif, Art and KC stayed outside because the temple is not air conditioned and KC would have been miserable...not to mention Tif and Art. My mom prefers warmth to the cold so she was fine.
Tif said this friendly little girl kept coming up to KC and trying to communicate with her.
I hate to say it but I suspect more people come for the food and dancing than for the services.
I didn't know about this tradition, so I thank you for sharing it! The photos are excellent! Your granddaughter attracts all kinds of attention! She looks darling in her dress!
ReplyDeleteParty, party, party... Seems like you and your daughter and her cute lil munchkin have had lots of activities. Soory your tummy didn't allow you to enjoy this festival. It sounds like a delightful way to spend part of a day.
ReplyDeleteI love the traditions associated with different cultures and belief systems!! Thanks for sharing this one with us. It sounds comforting.
Kay..I hope you are feeling better. My husband is a volunteer fireman and they had a first aide call at the university for 40 students stricken with what they think is a virus..it was a stomach thing and it was awful. I hope he and I don't get it...
ReplyDeleteBut..your granddaughter is so cute...
Kay... I can remember looking forward to the Obon festivals when I was a little girl. The food was always so delicious... and my mother made me dance in my kimono. (Thank goodness there was no You Tube back then... Lol!) Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Kay. Love the pictures. Who took them in your absence, Tif or Art? I would say KC but I see her there posing.
ReplyDeleteYou always do the neatest things! KC is so adorable. How old is she? Gosh, I could just give her the biggest hug!!!
ReplyDeleteKay - don't think about things you left in Illinois. That's where they are supposed to be. If they were supposed to be with you, they would be. I've gotten rid of a few things I regret, but I push those thoughts away, because it was right at the time and there is nothing I can do about it now. It just gives us room for new treasures that will wiggle their way into our lives.
That sounds like a beautiful festival, Kay. I am very curious about Buddhism, and I'm glad for your insights and these images. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for letting us into your life a little. You have Art or Tif trained to take pictures of everything; we do appreciate it. Children seem to be drawn together. I guess it is nice to look at someone's face rather than their knees.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everybody! Joyce and Dellgirl, I answered your questions in my post itself just in case anybody was wanting to know also. KC is 19 months old and Tif took the photos for me.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to read of these customs. I absorb and learn so much from your blog each day!
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