A joyous celebration of departed ancestors, Bon is a Japanese Buddhist festival that’s been observed for more than five centuries with a traditional folk dance known as Bon-Odori. Returning to the Gardens, this year’s lively and participatory program includes traditional favorites by Japanese folk music and dance ensemble Ensohza, Taiko Peace performing P.J. Hirabayashi’s dance and chant “Ei Ja Nai Ka,” and the legendary San Jose Taiko. Two newly commissioned works celebrating the Buddhist Churches of America’s 125th anniversary are also part of the program, with “Kangie,” by Sansei artist, activist, author and Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Nobuko Miyamoto, and “Lantern Song” by Bonbu Stories, an Asian-American arts collaborative dedicated to using music as a medium for raw storytelling and connection building. 

Meet the Guest Artists at: American Bon Consortium

Visit the companion multimedia exhibit: “American Bon Odori: Dancing in Joy and Remembrance,” curated by Dr. Wynn Kiyama and Jane Suiei Naito, open through 9/30/24, at the NJAHS Peace Gallery in Japantown.

American Bon Dancing is supported by the Henri And Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation and by the National Endowment for the Arts.