Bon Odori
Japanese Name:
盆踊り
Romaji Name:
bonodori
Description
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Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese folk dance that is closely associated with the Obon festival, a Buddhist tradition to honor the spirits of deceased ancestors. The festival, and the accompanying Bon Odori, is celebrated annually, usually in mid-August (though some regions observe it in July). During the Obon festival, people gather to pay respects to the deceased, and Bon Odori provides a joyful way to celebrate life, reconnect with community, and honor family members who have passed.
History
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Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese dance performed during the Bon Festival, honoring ancestral spirits.
The Bon Festival dates back over 500 years and is rooted in Buddhist customs.
Originally, the dance was a way for communities to welcome and entertain the spirits of the dead.
Over time, Bon Odori evolved with regional variations in music and dance styles.
The dance is usually performed outdoors, around a raised platform called a yagura.
Participants wear yukata (summer kimono) and dance in circles to traditional music.
Today, Bon Odori is a popular cultural event both in Japan and Japanese communities worldwide.