Explore Japanese Culture at Buddhist Festival in Mountain View

By Diana Samuels, Daily News
Posted: 07/16/2009 12:24:25 AM

The Mountain View Buddhist Temple will host its annual Obon Festival & Bazaar this weekend, an event that typically attracts thousands of people to sample food, watch dance and drum performances, and learn about other elements of Japanese culture.

Its organizers describe the event — held annually for more than 50 years to celebrate the Buddhist midsummer holiday of Obon — as an "all-in-one festival" that includes activities "to satisfy all your senses." The temple will organize crafts and games for children and adults, and host flower and book shops.

"It's just a fun place to be," said festival co-chairman Mel Inouye, who is organizing the event along with co-chairman Bryan Nishimoto.

The festival will be held Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free and parking is available on the temple's grounds at 575 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Obon originated as a holiday for Buddhists to honor and remember their ancestors, and the temple held an Obon and Hatsubon Service on July 5 to honor loved ones who died in the preceding year.

At this weekend's festival, Japanese Taiko drummers will perform at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday at 7 p.m., roughly 400 dancers will perform Japanese folk dances, called "bon odori."

Also on Sunday, children can participate in hands-on activities including flower arranging and origami.

For more information: www.mvbuddhisttemple.org.