オフィシャル

First, let me briefly introduce Bon Odori to those outside Japan who may not be familiar with it.

In a typical Bon Odori, a raised platform called a yagura is set up in the center of the venue, and everyone dances in a large circle around it. On the yagura, there is a singer and drummers, as well as experienced Bon Odori dancers. The people around them watch their movements and dance along.

The word “bon” in Bon Odori comes from Buddhism. Originally, Bon Odori is said to have been a dance performed during the Obon period to honor and comfort the spirits of ancestors returning to this world. Today, however, it would be fair to say that Bon Odori has little, if any, religious significance. It has become a Japanese summer dance event that anyone can enjoy casually.
Religion doesn’t matter. You don’t have to be Japanese. And, of course, you don’t need any special dancing skills. Anyone can join in and dance freely. Don’t know the steps? No problem. Just watch the people dancing on the yagura or those around you and imitate their movements. Before long, you’ll find yourself dancing along. And you don’t have to be a good dancer, either.

Some people dress up in a yukata, a traditional Japanese summer kimono, while others come in T-shirts or everyday clothes. You can even see people dancing in whatever they were wearing on their way home from work. People of all ages take part. Children, young people, and older people all dance together in the same circle.
These days, Bon Odori is enjoyed not only in Japan but also in other countries, including Indonesia and Brazil. When you think about it this way, Bon Odori may be a very open event: a traditional Japanese culture that anyone can take part in. In a nutshell, Bon Odori is a Japanese summer dance event that everyone can enjoy freely and without any pressure.

Now, let’s take a look at what happened at this year’s Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Festival.

On the first day, August 21, the weather didn’t look very promising. 
“Will we be okay today?”
I wondered that as I made my way to the venue. But then, I got to see something completely unexpected. A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. Apparently, it didn’t rain around Hamacho Park, but it seemed that there was rain somewhere in the distance. Perhaps the rain and sunlight came together at just the right moment. The rainbow, appearing just when we were worried about the rain, somehow felt like a little gift.

After that, the Bon Odori began, and many people enjoyed dancing. There were plenty of people wearing yukata. On the yagura, experienced dancers moved with ease, while around them, dancers of all skill levels joined the circle and danced in their own way.
However, around 8:30 p.m., a light rain began to fall, and the Bon Odori ended a little earlier than scheduled. Even so, many people were able to enjoy the dancing before the rain became heavy.

The weather on the second day, August 22, was even worse.
Heavy rain fell in the afternoon, but by the time the Bon Odori was scheduled to begin, the rain had temporarily stopped. So, the Bon Odori began as planned. But then...After a while, the rain started again. And this time, it was nothing like the rain on the first day. The rain grew heavier and heavier, and the venue soon became difficult to hold the event in. In the end, the Bon Odori was canceled before people had much of a chance to dance.
The sky that had given us a beautiful rainbow on the first day brought heavy rain on the second. This year’s Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Festival was a two-day event at the mercy of the weather.

Every summer, Bon Odori festivals are held all over Japan.
Here in Chuo Ward, the Bon Odori at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple is also well known. And, as I wrote about in my previous blog post, you can also enjoy Bon Odori at “Yukata de Ginbura.”
There are many other Bon Odori festivals around Tokyo as well. For example, at the Bon Odori held at Kanda Shrine, there is an “Anison Bon Odori,” where people dance to anime theme songs. It creates a completely different kind of excitement from traditional Bon Odori.

These days, it’s not unusual to see people from overseas at Bon Odori festivals. Some even wear yukata and dance better than many Japanese people. Whenever I see scenes like that, it makes me happy. Gender doesn’t matter. Nationality doesn’t matter. Age doesn’t matter. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a good dancer or not. Beginners and experienced dancers, children and older people, Japanese and people from other countries—all dance together in the same circle. 
They aren’t competing with one another. They aren’t pushing anyone aside. They are simply dancing to the music and enjoying the moment together with the people around them. And at least in all the Bon Odori festivals I have seen, there is no fighting or hostility.

These days, we often hear the word “diversity.” But without using such a complicated word, I feel that you can naturally see that kind of peaceful scene within a Bon Odori circle.
Even though everyone is different, we can all dance together. Even if you don’t know the dance, you can simply watch the people around you and join in. Even if you’re from another country, you can put on a yukata and dance together with Japanese people. Watching scenes like these, I find myself thinking, “Japanese Bon Odori is amazing.” And it makes me want to brag about it to the rest of the world, just a little. “Japan has such a wonderful summer tradition.”

The Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Festival is held every year in late August at Hamacho Park. You don’t have to know the dances. You don’t need to own a yukata. And you don’t have to be an experienced dancer. Just come to the venue, watch the people around you, and try to follow their movements. That’s all it takes to become part of the Bon Odori circle. And even if you don’t dance, it’s fun just to watch the dancing while enjoying shaved ice or yakisoba.

If you’d like to experience a Japanese summer, why not come to the Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Festival next year? It’s fun just to watch, but if you’re there anyway, why not step into the circle and dance?
There’s another way to enjoy summer in Japan.