Bon Odori Festival

First of all here is a little information on this subject from www.wikipidia.org:

O-bon (お盆) or only Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist festival has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Traditionally including a dance festival, it has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. In recent years, however, most parts of Tokyo, and by extension, the media, hold Obon in August to coincide with the summer holiday period. Obon shares some similarities with the predominantly Mexican observance of el Dia de los Muertos.

Bon Odori (盆踊り, meaning simply Bon dance) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors.
The O-Bon festival is observed all over Japan as well as parts of China, Malaysia, and American cities with a large enough Japanese population. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to express the effusive welcome toward the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in some aspects from region to region. People line up around a high wooden building made especially for the festival called a 'yagura'. There are many kinds of music that go with the dance.

Ok now that you feel all educated I will let you know about our experience last Saturday at a Bon Odori dance held in an elementary school in Hiroshima.

Here are some of the kids dressed up in their yukatas (casual form of kimono). The adults had them on too. I tried to find one that fit but apparently I'm too tall for the one size fits all in Japan.

This is me trying to follow the dance and telling Orlando "I don't know what I'm doing!!".

This is one of the dance teachers who where there to lead everyone in the dance. At least someone knew what they where doing!!!

Here are some of the traditional musicians in the festival. My Mexican friend Lorena called them the" Japaneses Menudo". Also there was a wooden structure in the middle of the school yard where there was a big drum kept everyone on the beat. Overall the festival was very interesting and our first encounter with traditional Japanese culture.