During World War II, there were many Japanese internment
camps in Utah. Once those camps folded,
many of the Japanese people stayed and became farmers, including my
great-grandparents. My grandmother spent
her early twenties in an internment camp, where she met and married a young man
who later died in combat in Italy in 1945. Most Japanese people never talked about
“camp”, and my grandmother was no different. We tried multiple times to write
her story, but she just never talked about it, and when she did, it was never
in any detail.
(Esther Oka in “Camp”, 1945)
My great-grandparents raised their children on a farm in
the heart of Ogden on 39th street. Apparently, the Oka Farm was well
known in the community and my mother was raised just blocks from there. As a kid, I spent every summer in Ogden
working in my grandma’s garden. Ogden’s
historic 25th street was once the Japantown of Ogden, or as close as
it could get to being a Japantown. There
were Japanese restaurants, fish markets and bathhouses that lined the streets
of 25th. (Yes, along with the
local brothels.) Can you imagine how
different it must have been?
Who knew? I had no
idea that the Japanese culture was once so strong here in Ogden. I plan on keeping their Japanese tradition alive,
and this week I’m taking part in the Obon Festival. What is an Obon
Festival? Well, until recently, even I
didn’t know. The Ogden Buddhist Temple honors
their ancestors who have passed before them each year by holding the Obon
Festival. It’s a way for them to
resolve unsettled business so they can embrace their loved ones once
again. What better way to honor my ancestors
of Ogden and Japan than to participate in the Obon Festival?
Buddhism is not just a religion, but a way of life. Buddhists believe they are given everything
they need in this life, they just need to become aware of their gifts and live
a life of gratitude for those gifts.
The Obon Festival is filled with food, dancing, music, and
taiko drummers. The dances acknowledge their rich heritage that was molded by
their ancestors.
The dancing is performed by the local Buddhist people of
Ogden and Salt Lake. There are 12-14
dances honoring their dead. The dancers wear Yukatas (summer kimonos), and use
different props during the dances, such as: Uchiwa (round fan), Tengui (towel),
Sensu (Folding Fan), Kachi-Kachi (wooden hand noise maker).
THE traditional
Taiko drummers will be performing (Taiko in Japanese means ‘drum’). If you
haven’t heard or seen these guys, you are missing out. They are immensely powerful and a lot of fun
to watch. I’ve seen them multiple times
while growing up and I am mesmerized each time.
When they perform, the goal is to become one with the drum, which is
also a way of becoming one with Buddha. They even make their own drums! I made a goal
a couple years ago to become a Taiko drummer. Luckily, they are starting a new
group and are looking for recruits! (Hint, Hint)
At the Obon Festival this year, there will be booths
filled with food and souvenirs. Come watch the dancing! Feel the rhythm of the Taiko drummers! Come, help keep the traditions alive and see
the deep Japanese history of Ogden through the Buddhist people!
Where: Ogden
Buddhist Church
155
North Street
Ogden,
Utah
When: Saturday,
July 20, 2013
Schedule
4:00 Food Booths Open
7:30 Taiko Drums
8:00 Dance Performance
9:00 Intermission Taiko Drums
9:30 Dance Performance (Last dance the audience is asked
to participate)
Food Available:
Teriyaki Rice Bowls with Chicken or Beef
Spam Musubi (Block of Rice and Spam wrapped together with
dried seaweed)
Somen Noodles (Cold noodles in Fish Stock)
Vegetarian Tofu Salad
Manju (Sweet Rice Cake)
Ramune (Japanese Soda)
Hot Dogs (American Tradition)
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