Everyone Was Invited to Dance One of the most beautiful parts of the 2026 Obon Festival wasn’t something you watched… It was something you could join. Our first dance video features Hanagasa Ondo, a lively folk dance from Japan’s Yamagata Prefecture. Originally created around 1938 and now performed during the famous Yamagata Hanagasa Festival each August, the dance is accompanied by the joyful sounds of the shakuhachi, shamisen, and taiko drums, along with the familiar chant of “Yasho, Makasho!” While the dance has deep roots in Japanese tradition, what made it special here in Ontario was the spirit of community. Whether someone had danced for decades or had only attended a couple of practice sessions, everyone was welcomed to participate. It wasn’t about perfection, it was about celebrating together. That welcoming spirit is something Emily Matsubu-Chartrand knows well. Emily has attended Obon since she was a little girl and began learning the dances at just eight years old. After learning from instructors Madame Fujima and Seiko Go, she spent years co-instructing before becoming the primary dance instructor this year, bringing nearly 20 years of experience to a tradition that continues to bring generations together. Emily shared something that captures the heart of Obon: “It truly is a wonderful experience to have watched it transform throughout the years.” We would also like to join Emily in thanking everyone who makes this celebration possible. Thank you to the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum for opening your doors and hosting this wonderful event. Thank you to the volunteers working behind the scenes, the people preparing the food, decorating, organizing activities, setting up, cleaning up, and taking care of countless details that most of us never see. Events like this happen because so many people quietly give their time. And perhaps most importantly, thank you to our community. Because of your participation and support, traditions that are so meaningful to Japanese American families continue to be shared with future generations. That’s something truly worth celebrating. This is just the first of several Obon dance videos we’ll be sharing. As the series continues, you’ll see more beautiful dances, hear more wonderful music, and watch as more and more members of the community join in the celebration. Sometimes the best way to preserve a tradition isn’t just to watch it… It’s to take someone by the hand and invite them to dance. Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple 286 SE 4th Street, Ontario, OR 97914 iobt.org (541) 889-8562 Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum 676 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, OR 97914 4rcc.com (541) 889-8191#livinginthenews #idahooregonbuddhisttemple #obonfestival #fourriversculturalcenterandmuseum #hanagasaondodd
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