Women perform traditional Japanese dance at Bon Odori (Photo by Vivian Miezianko/NWAW)
On July 21 and July 22, the Seattle Buddhist Temple hosted Bon Odori, a traditional summer festival held to honor and appreciate ancestors. The festival, which included traditional music and dancing in the street, was an official Seafair event. Many festival-goers dress in Japanese kimonos or yukatas. The festival also included taiko and martial arts performances, craft exhibits, demonstrations, and food. The National Bone Marrow Program’s “Be the Match” was also in attendance to collect cheek swabs from potential donors to keep in their database, primarily to find a compatible donor for Laurie Shimizu who suffers from Multiple Myeloma. (end)