Highlights from our Annual Obon Celebration

Photo: Don Smith

Every July, Ekoji Buddhist Temple hosts an Obon celebration. For Buddhists, Obon is a time to express gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us. For Nen Daiko, Obon is an opportunity to give back to Ekoji.

Nen Daiko members always volunteer in a big way for Obon on the organizing committee or in many other capacities before and during the event. We were also fortunate to have members from our sister group, Soh Daiko, come to help, play, and celebrate with us.

This year, Obon had special meaning for us because it was Dee Miyasato's last performance as a full-time Nen Daiko member, at least for now! After 14 years with Nen Daiko, she is moving back to Hawaii. Dee has been such a central figure in Nen Daiko's story - as a performer, mentor, and friend. 
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Celebrating Dee - Photo: Don Smith

New Things We Tested at Obon

While we learned many great lessons about how to make Obon successful, let's focus on the aspects of the event that were taiko-related. This year we tested some new ideas:

• We did two performances instead of one - In the past we performed one time. Other entertainment at Obon includes Bon Odori or community folk dancing and awesome music by the Aloha Boys. This year we did a short performance to kick-off the evening and a larger one later in the event. This approach meant that families with small children who might need to leave early still had the opportunity to see some taiko. 
• We made taiko-themed crafts with Obon attendees - These included a taiko player made from recycled plastic caps and cupcakes decorated as taiko with pretzel bachi. 
• We shared audience videos on social media - Our social media traffic hit new heights when we shared videos on Facebook that people had posted on Instagram of our performances. Who knew that cross-pollinating from one social platform to the other would give us such big numbers?

Taiko player from recycled plastic caps, designed by Nennie Carla Brown

Taiko cupcake with pretzel bachi

Thank you to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make Obon 2016 a successful event! And to our audience members who give such great energy every Obon performance!  We look forward to seeing you again next July!

Video Highlights from Obon

Thank you to Melvin and Hanae Coutrier for taking video of the songs Shiawase & Matsuri at Obon!

Photos of Nen Daiko at Obon

Thank you to Melvin Coutrier, Chuck Fletcher, Mike Gallan and Don Smith for their amazing volunteer photography!