VISTA: Obon Festival celebrates Japanese heritage

Two-day event continues Sunday

By Shannon Wingard - For the North County Times | Saturday, July 26, 2008 10:51 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Rie Desko wore her red floral yukata ---- a cotton kimono worn during the summer ----- to celebrate the Obon Festival in authentic style on Saturday at the Vista Buddhist Temple.

"At this festival in Japan, everybody wears it," said the San Diego resident, who said she attended the event so she could feel closer to the country she once called home.

The annual festival observes Obon, a Japanese Buddhist celebration honoring the memory of ancestors.

Jose Anguiano, who attended with Desko, said the festival also brought back memories of his life in Japan.

In fact, he said the vendor booths "remind me of the train station" in Yokosuka, Japan, where he lived five years ago.  

Those who missed the first part of the two-day festival have another chance to attend, as the event continues from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. The Vista Buddhist Temple is at 150 Cedar Road.

Highlights of Sunday activities will include a hands-on class at 1:30 p.m. in suminagashi ---- a paper-and-ink technique to create marble-like paper ---- and a traditional tea ceremony, which begins at 2:30 p.m.    

Mike Toma, a chair of the event, said the temple has hosted the festival for more than 30 years.

He said the festival "just introduces our customs" and gives attendees an important glimpse into Japanese heritage.

The best part, he said, is "to watch how the cultures interact."  

While some people lined up Saturday to eat foods such as sushi, teriyaki, taikoyaki (snow cones) and somen noodle salad, others appeared more interested in watching performances, especially the featured Taiko drumming.

Scott Kujiraoka, a drummer with the Togen Daiko ensemble from Ventura County, said the Taiko drums, which were made from wine barrels with cowhides stretched on top, create more than just music.          

"It's something we do for the art," he said.

Debbie Matsumoto, of Encinitas, also considered Taiko drumming an art form.

"It's just interesting to watch them, because it is almost like a dance," she said.

Her 12-year-old daughter, Sachiko, said she enjoyed the Bon Odori folk dancing ---- an evening dance circle which is open to everyone ---- as much as the drumming.

Her reason for the two favorites was simple. "Those are really important to the Japanese tradition," Sachiko said.

Peter Davis, of Vista, said he attended the festival to learn about Buddhism.

After listening to a lecture on the principles of it, he said he learned "the large message was that things are unified."

Davis said he was grateful for the chance to find out more about the issue, especially since "I've been curious about Buddhism for a long time."

For information on the Obon Festival, visit http://www.vbtemple.org/