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What is obon? Learn more about this festival from these links.

[new!] Japanese Americans Keeping Obon Tradition Alive
San Francisco Chronicle

Obon, Gathering of Joy
Article written by Reverend Mas Kodani of Senshin Buddhist Temple & founder of Kinnara Taiko, the 2nd taiko group to form in North America.

Obon Story: Honoring ancestors, connecting to our community
By Margaret Schulze
Originally printed in the Nikkei West (www.nikkeiwest.com)
Vol. 10, No. 14, July 25th, 2002

Dancing with the Departed: Japanese Obon in the American West
by Barre Toelken
A discussion of American Obon, including its history, how America's obons compare to Japan's, and the importance of obon to Japanese-Americans.


Days of the Dead: O-bon and the ghosts of Japan
by Yuri Ogura
Discussion of the cultural context of Japanese obon, with a focus on yurei and obake, Japanese ghosts and monsters.

What is Obon?
Shingon Buddhist International Institute
A brief summary of the Buddhist origins of obon, including a detailed explanation of the word obon itself.

Belief and Practice: Buddhist Obon Festival
PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
Features a transcript and RealVideo recording of a brief spot on obon.

Written notation of Tanko Bushi
(the Coal-miner's Dance, which is popular at many obon.)
www.sacredcircles.com
http://www.ifccsa.org/tanko.html

Japantown Thrives in Culturally Diverse San Jose: Obon Festival is a summer highlight
Cathryn Domrose, San Francisco Chronicle
A 2000 article about San Jose Japantown Obon.

Dancing on the Streets
History, music, and photographs of Awa Odori, the well-known obon of Tokushima Prefecture, and one of the dances that inspired SJT's own Ei Ja Nai Ka?