Honoring ancestors at Bon Odori Festival in Olympia

Rachel Benton

A Japanese summertime tradition, Bon Odori, is a dance festival with Buddhist origins that celebrates and honors the spirits of ancestors.

Celebrated around the world, this annual event is less about dance as a performance, and more about dance as an invitation to all to celebrate and embrace community.  

To my chagrin, I knew nothing about this tradition or was even aware of its existence until my friend, Jennifer Hermann, invited me to learn more. That is the beautiful thing about this community: there are always cultural events taking place, each offering an opportunity to enhance our own lives through expanding our global appreciation.  

At Hermann’s recommendation, I reached out to this year’s event organizer, Reiko Callner, to develop a greater understanding of the historical and cultural significance of this tradition. I am so grateful she accepted my invitation.  

Everybody is welcome! With fun for the whole family, the Olympia Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) invites you to join them for the festivities.

There will be: 

• Food trucks 

• Calligraphy demonstrations  

• Decorative fan making 

• Displays of traditional dances, including (but not limited to) Tanko Bushi (the coal miners dance), Hanabi Ondo (fireworks dance), and many others that celebrate our earth and the land we reside on

Mark your calendars for Olympia’s Bon Odori Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8, starting at 6 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College. Click here to learn more. 

Where Bon Odori began  

Bon Odori is part of Obon, Buddhism’s first religious ceremony dedicated to remembering ancestors, remembering the suffering and change that are part of life, and embracing the belief that ancestors return to Earth to join their loved ones for this celebration, which takes place primarily through dance. All of this began many centuries ago with a Buddhist tale. Callner shared that tale with me.  

 “There was a sage of the Buddha, who was a follower of the Buddha, named Maha Maudgalyayana. This sage had reached a very advanced point towards enlightenment, to the point where he had developed the ability to look beyond this life into the afterlife," Callner said.

 “(When he looked into the afterlife), he was dismayed to see the spirit of his departed mother, suffering as a hungry ghost rather than being in a more rewarding sphere of the afterlife.”

The reason why Maudgalyayana was distressed was that, as Callner described, “his mother raised him on her own, without the help of a father, and had been very good to him.” 

According to Callner, Maudgalyayana went to the Buddha and told him what happened and asked what he could do to alleviate his mother’s suffering. The Buddha told him that he could free his mother's spirit by practicing perfect loving kindness and absolute generosity.  

 Maudgalyayana followed the Buddha’s instructions, relieved his mother's spirit, and was so overwhelmed with joy that he danced. Her spirit reunited with him for nights of celebration. They got to dance together and celebrate before she went back to the afterlife, peaceful and happier. 

Bon Odori traditions 

There are different kinds of traditional Japanese dances that people do together and are still embraced during Bon Odori today. Sometimes, new dances are created, but many are centuries old. The commonality between these dances is their folk stylings and repetitive motions.  

 What makes tradition so special is that participants are almost walking in the footsteps of their ancestors, as they dance the same dances their ancestors did long ago. Participants also dance with members of their community, which is an act of resilience, unity and love.  

Many participants wear brightly colored Kimonos, very specifically their summer kimonos called “yukatas,” during this celebration.  

The musical accompaniment to the dancing is often Taiko drumming, involving large drums. Callner explained how Taiko drumming was traditionally a mode of communication.

“They can be really loud,” Callner shared. “They’re played in an ensemble, and it's a very physical, kinetic, almost dance-like performance.” 

There are more Bon Odori traditions than one column alone could cover. I invite you to learn more about Bon Odori traditions by attending the event and asking questions to guide your research journey. 

 Regardless of your religion or cultural heritage, there is something for everyone at Bon Odori, as you embrace diversity in tangible ways.  

Festivals like Bon Odori remain important — not just for “diversity’s sake,” but because they make us reflect on our own traditions and roots. Innovation and tradition remain important and help us find balance, but none of that balance can be established without community.  

Keep participating in the community and allow your horizons to be expanded as you get to know your neighbors. A great place to start this journey is at Olympia’s Bon Odori festival on Saturday. Click here to learn more.  

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.