YBE Obon Season 2023
Every summer, members of the community join their friends and family to celebrate and honor their ancestors at Obon. Check out some of our YBE members enjoying Obon season 2023!
Reflections from Anna Tsuchimoto, Katie Tsuchimoto, Koki Atcheson, Devon Matsumoto, Derek Tahara, KC Mukai, Mitchell Tsudama, Trevor Yokoyama, Emily Ko, Kylie Tamura, and Marisa Eng
Anna Tsuchimoto & Katie Tsuchimoto
Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple
Obon is the best night of the year! We love seeing family and friends, catching up with everyone, and of course, the dancing. Tanko Bushi is the favorite among our household.
Koki Atcheson
Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Obon was more fun in a happi coat! We mostly worked at the Bontique (cashiering vintage kimono and other treasures) on this night but it was great to rejoin the festivities in person this year.
Devon Matsumoto
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, Mountain View Buddhist Temple
Obon means community!
Derek Tahara
Mountain View Buddhist Temple
It’s nice to be back in person at the Mountain View Obon.
KC Mukai
Buddhist Fellowship of Concord (Diablo Japanese American Summer Festival), Fresno Buddhist Temple, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, Berkeley Buddhist Temple
This Obon season has been a blur of love, gratitude, & reunion. Each and every Obon I attend deepens my appreciation for the community I was raised in and ancestors who I am descended from. To the temple boards and volunteers that make Obon possible, thank you so much for all your efforts. I promise to continue the traditions so important to our community!
Mitchell Tsudama
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Obon to me is all about creating everlasting memories with loved ones and celebrating those who have helped me become the person I am today. I’m very fortunate to have such a large and loving sangha here in San Jose and Obon is where I’m able to show my thanks and really give my heart and soul back to them.
Trevor Yokoyama and Emily Ko
Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple
This was Seattle’s first Obon in 3 years as well as our 91st Obon overall. It was great to see the Seattle Sangha come back together for a couple of days to put on the festival. Personally, it doesn’t feel like summer until it’s Bon Odori season.
Kylie Tamura
Buddhist Fellowship of Concord (Diablo Japanese American Summer Festival), San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Marisa Eng
Mountain View Buddhist Temple, Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Las Vegas Buddhist Sangha
Obon not only brings our small SLC community of JAs together to celebrate and honor our ancestors, but we also get to attend and experience other temples’ festivals and traditions.
