Quote:
Originally Posted by YuriTokoro
Hi.
Could you correct my English?
"Bon Dance Event"
I went to a bon dance event today. It is a festival that is held by neighborhood communities on summer nights. During the festival, people perform bon dances.
If you go bon dancing, you should wear yukata. They are more informal kimono made from thinner fabric. Those who have stayed in a Japanese-style hotel, or "ryokan", may have worn a yukata. Hotel customers wear it to relax. It functions as both pajamas and bathrobe.
In the past I enjoyed bon dancing. When I was an elementary school student, I made a promise with friends to go to bon dancing every year. I was really looking forward to going to the festival.
I would put on yukata the day of the festival. My mother gave me some money. I bought some food at yatai (stalls which are open only during a festival), and ate with friends.
And then, we danced in line.
After becoming an adult and before getting married, I took Japanese classical dancing lessons. As a part of the lessons we performed bon dancing while wearing matching yukata.
I’ve heard people perform bon dancing in many other countries now. If you see people dancing, please try. It’s very easy and simple.
Thank you.
Bon Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
YouTube - Suwajinja 諏訪神社 盆踊り 3 |
Sounds exciting, Yuri. I have some knowledge of yukata and bon dances from many hours spent watching anime (of course). Specifically "Toradora" and "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu". I'm guessing from those examples "bon" is the shorter version of "bonfire" around which the bon dance happens.
I don't dance myself, mainly due to embarassment and the feeling that it's not...quite...necessary, if that makes any sense. Being analytical all the time can be very tiring.
Regardless, I can tell summer festivals are very exciting times meant to be enjoyed with friends and fellow festival goers. Maybe someday I'll go to one, who knows.