The sound of drumming was the first thing noticeable. Closer, a gust of wind portended delicious cuisine. Finally, at the edge of the park, an array of colorfully clad people laughing and dancing were finally visible.
Last Saturday, Alton Baker Park was alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Eugene’s Japanese Obon and Taiko Festival. Camped out on sheets and lawn chairs, many people were clad in traditional cotton yukata or floral Hawaiian prints. For some, this was their first time donning such attire. It’s not always easy; one woman tripped over her wooden-heeled sandals, laughed and explained to a friend “I never wear these.”
Obon, a Japanese Buddhist holiday that celebrates the spirits of one’s ancestors, may sound somber, but it was an energetic scene; people conversed, ate and danced together for hours. The importance of family was readily apparent in the mixed generations of Obon attendants.
“It’s a great way to introduce my children to their culture,” Harumi Morikawa said as she adjusted her daughter Kira’s obi, the wide belt closing her yukata. Her 20-month-old son, Joe, can already say “Obon.”
When asked about the meaning of the festival, Morikawa looked up at the sky and smiled. “For me, dancing brings back childhood memories. Every year we’d gather at the school playground and danced around the central structure (yakura).”
Kumiko Caves shared similar recollections and was thrilled to share the experience with her 19-year-old daughter, Amy. “It reminds me of back home, which I’m far, far away from,” Kumiko said. “We can keep our culture and get to see all our friends here.”
Valerie and Ron Carroll have been attending Obon for 15 years. “One reason to come is the food,” Ron said with a laugh. Valerie said the festival resonates with her heritage and feelings for her ancestors. “I really enjoy the taiko too,” she added.
Machiko Shirai has danced at the event for 13 years. “I love to come every year. I really miss Obon festival from Japan,” she said. “I remember being little, wearing yukata, getting food and staying out for a long time.” As a tai chi teacher, dancing serves many functions for Shirai, but above all she said Obon dancing is “just fun fun fun.”
The festivities drew in many people passing by. The Castaneda family had been out for a stroll when they saw the event and decided to stay. “We’ve lived in Eugene for a bit, but this is the first time we’ve seen this,” said the family’s father, Carlos Castaneda.
Elaine Warner, a member of a Portland Obon performing group, has arguably one of the longest stints as a performer. “I began dancing in utero,” she said. “My mother performed in New York at the city’s first Obon Festival in 1949.” The event is multifaceted for her: “It’s a gathering of people you don’t always see; it’s about remembering your ancestors; it’s about getting together. Mostly it’s just fun.”