Obon Festival 2013

August 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1

Celebrating Your Heritage

Obon is similar to America's Thanksgiving. At the beginning of Obon, spirits are called to the cemeteries through the burning of incense and the offering of a pray- er, and at the end the spirits are led to a river or the ocean's edge on their way back to the world of the dead, guided by a paper lantern with a candle inside. Although some of Obon's rituals are somber, much of the holiday is festive; a time when families happily reunite and celebrate the Bon Festival and Lantern Floating Ceremony for all loved ones and ancestors that have passed away.

The festival has been held since the 7th century although many of the events have changed and it is one of the most significant and enjoyable of the Japanese festivals. It goes by a variety of names, the most popular of which is "The Bon Festival and Lantern Floating Ceremony”.

Teaching our Children or Grandchildren

Heritage is kept alive when we pass along the understanding and traditions to our youth. To see and become a participant in the Festival our Children and Grandchildren learn to respect and honor the sacrifices of those who came before us.

For More Information call or visit:

Valley of the Temples 808-236-4078 www. valley-of-the-temples.com Page 2 Byodo-In Temple Obon Festival 2013

You and your family are invited to join us on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 11:00 to 4:00 pm for the Obon Festival sponsored by the Valley of the Temples and held at the Byodo-In Temple 47-200 Kahekili Hwy. ,Kaneohe. The day will be filled with enter- tainment, prizes and celebration for the entire family.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Master of Ceremonies Lina Girl—KCCN FM100’s Morning Drive

11:00 am Opening Ceremony VOT & Bishop Hosen Fukuhara

11:15 am Taiko Nakai-Dragon Drum Beat

11:45 am Nankuru Naisa Hawaii Seiichi Yagi & Friends

12:15 pm Drawing Rules & Lotus Lantern Application

12:25 pm Taisho Koto Kinjo-ryu Taisho Koto Rainbow Group Charles and Masako Miyajima

1:00 pm Drawing for Artist’s Gift

1:10 pm Minyo Harada Nao Azusa-Kai Hawaii...Nonaka

1:30 pm Bon Dance Sukiyaki Bon Dance Club Koolau Utakai

2:15 pm Drawing for Artist’s Gift

2:20 pm Naginata Martial Arts Jiki-Shinkage-ryu Naginata/Kusarigama Hawaii Naginata Federation Hanae Miura Valley of the Temples 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe HI Page 3 Schedule of Events 3:00 pm Drawing for Artist’s Gift

3:15 pm Koto Music Darin Miyashiro &David Amann

3:45 pm Drawing for Artist’s Gift

4:00 pm Closing Ceremony Valley of the Temples, Bishop Fukuhara, Taiko Drums by Nakai Dragon Drum Beat & Bon-sho Tolling

Enter To Win Round Trip Airfare

for 2 to Japan* Restrictions apply Must be 21 or older to enter Chances of winning determined by number of entries No purchase necessary Draw date August 20, 2013

Participating Artists and Vendors—Mahalo

Dragon Bonsai Club Glenn & Mary Sears Green Synergy Origami … Lillian Yajima Photo Art … Shannon Rae Mihoko Maier Sumi-e Art … Hisae Shouse Watercolor … Daniel Wang Ribbon Lei … Judy Barnes Oil Painting … Elaine Matsuda MOA … Tea Ceremony; Mini-Ikebana Demo

Dr. Spencer Hamada & Michael Cheek (Apologies for No Salutations)