RAIN CAN'T STOP US!
Obon Festival adapts to the
Impermanence of Weather

Thank you to our wonderful Sangha and friends for adapting to change in the the face of the biggest deluge of Obon rain in anyone's memory.  After the martial arts demonstrations, chairs were moved aside, the Bon Daiko drum brought in, circles formed, and dancing went on in Sakai Hall!  L.A. Matsuri Taiko moved onto the stage and their precision performance was a visual and physical feast.  One of our Facebook followers, Sally Smith, had these kinds to say about yesterday's Obon: "Despite the rain We had a fabulous time!! Thank you for moving everything indoors. The ladies at your Temple are so sweet, friendly and helpful. The food was wonderful and excellently prepared. I enjoyed the books and other vendors. I was even able to get my hubby up for a couple of Obon dances! There was a wonderful man who gave me a blingy ring and said Now were married! He ran off before I could kiss him and seal the deal. Maybe next time"
Please join us on Sunday, July 19 from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm for more Obon.  Our Opportunity Drawing will be held at 8:30.  Donation for tickets to win the first place prize: Apple Watch! Tickets will be sold starting at 4:30.  Silent Auction will encore for a second day.  Still some wonderful items available, including Japanese dishes.

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Obon, Gathering of Joy Documentary, 1987

Watch this video to hear Rev Mas Kodani (retired now) introduce us to Obon and it's different meanings. Lots of great photos of people we all know and knew!

Pasadena OBON YouTube Shiawase Samba 2010

THANK YOU!
 #PasadenaObon2015 was one for the books.

Hope everyone celebrated Obon as joyously as Acen did! Thank you to our Sangha and friends from Pasadena Bruins for working so hard to make our rainy Obon a rainbow maker. Thank you to our amazing chairs, Jeannie Toshima and Cliff Nakatani for your ability to adapt to the crazy weather and keep our Festival running smoothly. Thank you to our Temple groups that worked for weeks preparing for the event: BWA, Dharma School, Sangha Teens, and Jr. YBA. Thank you Rev. Gibbs and family for your guidance and enthusiastic participation in our preparations and during the festival. Thank you to our donors, exhibitors, vendors, martial artists, Sumirekai, PJCI and Nisei Week Court for your presence and contributions. Thank you to the MANY who came in the deluge to share in the joy! Photos to come.  If you have photos or videos to share: please email to: [email protected]. Namu Amida Butsu.

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2013 Pasadena Obon video clip

2012 Pasadena Obon Video Clip

Pasadena Obon YouTube Clip (2009)