Obonfest August 6, 2022!

Here is the list of events for the Obonfest August 6, 2022. Calligraphy, flower arranging, kid's corner and more!

Activities on the North Side

Ikebana International, Portland Chapter #47, Flower Design;

3:00pm to 6:00pm

Create your own ikebana flower design with master teacher, Mrs. Nana

Bellerud and other artists from the Ikebana International, Portland

Chapter #47 School of Ikebana. Ikebana explores artistic concepts of

balance, contrast and negative space. Demonstration and hands on

artistry at 3:00pm, 4:00pm and 5:00pm.

Children’s Corner with Puppet Theatre, 2:00pm to 7:00pm

Enjoy a live puppet show and other creative games and crafts for children

of all ages. Puppet Shows; 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm. Games include

Dharma Ducklings, 3 Poisons, Obon Roulette, Festival Ball Drop, Clothes

Pin Drop and Maineki Neko.

Temple Basement

Omiyage Shop, 2:00pm to 8:00pm

Fill your basket with a treasure trove of Asian novelties.

Yukata, Hapi and Kimono Sales, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Choose a yakata or hapi to ‘Dance for Joy’ on Saturday evening at 7:00pm.

Obonfest T-shirts; 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Choose an original designed t-shirt in assorted colors and styles.

Temple Hondo

Tapping on the Bell of Silence, by Kim Stafford, 3:00pm     

Guest Speaker at NW District Buddhist Convention “The Art of Buddhism"

Temple Talk by Sugahara Sensei, 4:00pm

OBON, Gathering of Joy; 4:30pm  

A creation of the first Obon song in English inspired by Rev. Mas Kodani of Senshin Temple

and written by Nobuko Miyamoto.       

Temple Talk by Sugahara Sensei, 5:00pm

Kangie by Nobuko Miyamoto; 5:30pm   

Commissioned by the Buddhist Churches of America Music Committee, artist and activist,

Nobuko Miyamoto has created a new bon odori, “Kangie” (Gathering of Joy) for use at temple Obon festivals. 

Dancer’s Service; 6:00pm

Outdoor Program

Kendo; 3:30pm

kendo, Japanese kendō (“way of the sword”), traditional Japanese style

of fencing with a two-handed wooden sword, derived from the fighting methods of the

ancient samurai (warrior class). The unification of Japan about 1600 removed most

opportunities for actual sword combat, so the samurai turned swordsmanship into a

means of cultivating discipline, patience and skill for building character

Founded in 1932, Obukan Kendo Club is a non-profit organization part of the Pacific

Northwest Kendo Federation (PNKF), which is a member of the All United States Kendo

Federation. Obukan practices Kendo, Bokutoh Kata, and Laido in Beaverton, Oregon.

Beginner classes offer students of all ages to try and experience this martial art. Please

see www.obukan.com, or call 503.381.9015 for more information.

Odori; Tsubaki Buyo Doukou Kai, 4:30pm

Featuring graceful, storytelling in dance form.

Portland Taiko Student Group Performance; 5:30pm

This year Portland Taiko’s classes will join together for a community performance at the Oregon Buddhist Temple’s Obon festival. 

Portland Taiko Performance; 6;30pm

Portland Taiko blends the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with a sense of Asian American identity, creativity, and empowerment. Formed in 1994 by Ann Ishimaru, Zachary Semke, and Japanese American community activists, Portland Taiko has headlined at arts festivals and concert halls, released three CDs, and has performed at hundreds of community events and school assemblies. To date, Portland Taiko has reached over 1 million audience members at over 1500 performances at theaters, schools, community events and festivals.

Obon Odori; Traditional Folk Dance, 7:00pm to 9:00pm