42nd Negishi Bon Odori Festival Date &Time:

21 Aug (Sat) 1500-2100 Rain date:

Next day same time This is an open base event.

Let’s enjoy Japanese traditional Bon Dance in the feverish summer evening.

Lots of fun with live entertainment on the stage and food and sales booth!

Air-toys corner for children is also available.

For more info, please contact Negishi MWR office at 242-4120 or OIC’s office at 242-4101.

Negishi Open Base BON ODORI FESTIVAL:

Sat, Aug 21, 2010.

Join MWR and the Negishi community for a day of fun and excitement!

For more info call Negishi MWR Program Office at 242-4120 or (045) 281-4120.

Obon Season Celebrated During Negishi Bon Odori Festival

Story and photo by Dan Bowen,
CFAY Public Affairs


(Left) Yamate Deputy Police Chief Hiroshi Kodaira, President of AIU AHL Co. in Zushi, Kazuko Kosugi, who graciously donated the sake barrel for the event, CFAY Commanding Officer Capt. David Owen and Negishi Housing Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Cmdr. Rome de las Alas perform the traditional breaking of the sake barrel to kick off the 45th annual Negishi Bon Odori Festival Aug. 21.

Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Negishi Housing Detachment celebrated the Obon season with their 45th annual Bon Odori Festival held in the parking lots adjacent to the community center Aug. 21.

The event included entertainment by the 7th Fleet Band and other musical acts as well as a variety of traditional Japanese entertainers, including Taiko drummers and a shishimai (lion dance) performance.

The hot summer day provided the more than 3,300 CFAY and local Yokohama residents the opportunity to get together and share each other’s cultures. Guest speakers for the event included CFAY Commanding Officer Capt. David Owen and Naka Ward Director General Naoshi Nakagami.

“Although this is my first time to attend this event, I sincerely would like to thank you all for your strong support and mutual cooperation in making it possible for this event to continue for many years,” said Owen. “I strongly believe that our community relationship here in Yokohama is very solid and is represented by the various joint community activities that have taken place. In October, we will be supporting the Hello Yokohama festival, the Yokohama Cemetery clean-up program, the Halloween event and many more.”

The festival was especially meaningful for CMDCM Rachel Costello, USS Mustin (DDG 89) command master chief. Mustin chiefs sold smoothies all day from their booth at the festival to raise funds for the Khaki Ball and other activities the crew conducts throughout the year. Costello, who was born and raised in Kobe city, relished the chance to show the chief inductees and their sponsors the festival and interact with Negishi residents.

“I wanted our selectees to see the Bon Odori because it is not really a tradition back in Yokosuka,” said Costello.

“Culture exchange here is wonderful; I was born and raised in Japan. For me seeing the Bon Odori was part of my upbringing, so for me to see it and to have them see it is very meaningful especially with the [50th] anniversary of the United States-Japan Security Alliance.”

Obon is one of Japan’s three major holiday seasons. Throughout the country, Obon is celebrated at different times and in slightly different ways depending on the region. The purpose, however, is the same wherever you go. It is a time to remember and honor one’s ancestors whose spirits are believed to return to this world to visit their relatives. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the spirits home, obon dances, or bon odori, are performed, and offerings of the deceased’s favorite foods are made at grave sites and house alters. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and the ocean to help guide the spirits back to the spirit world.

For those in the community that missed the Bon Odori Festival, there will be plenty of opportunities to join in intercultural activities. Throughout the year, CFAY hosts several events where Japanese and American residents have the chance to enjoy engaging each other in cultural exchange. The next big cultural event is the Mikoshi Parade, which will be held Sept. 19. For more information on base events, pick up the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) magazine, “Focus.”