ぼんおどり(盆踊り)
All over Japan in July and August, the activity that many like to take part in and go to watch is ぼんおどり. ぼんおどりis a type of dance that, as you can see in this picture, is also a style of clothing and, in fact, a whole attitude.
O-bon is a Buddhist festival in honor of the spirits of the dead who return to their families. It was originally cerebrated in mid-July according to the lunar calendar, but is now held from July 13 to 16 or from August 13 to 16 depending on the area. It is the biggest yearly holiday in Japan after New Years (shougatsu), and is a time for family and relatives to get together.
One of the events that customarily accompany o-bon is the bon-odori (Bon Festival Dance). Originally the dances were held to console departing spirits, but today they are simply enjoyed as entertainment. In open public spaces, communities build a platform (yagura) and lanterns are tied to it. People dance in a circle around the platform.
Flickr Images: Bon Odori Festiva, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Vivian Blakely/Released: 110820-N-TO330-895
Writing Preparation
Read the following questions to prepare for your written assignment. Think carefully about how you would answer them.
- どんな ぶたいげいじゅつ (performing arts) がすきですか。
- ドラマチックなげきの しゅじんこうは、だれですか。どこ げきを していますか。
- どこに たくさんどうぶつが いますか。
- だれが ジョークを いいますか。
- だれが、オペラを うたいますか。
- ピエロは なにをしますか。
- サーカスには、なに（or だれ）がいますか。
Graded Assignments
Please return to the Section 3 Tasks & Assignments folder to complete the graded assignments for Section 3, Part B.
