Japanese Festival Bridges Gap Between East, West

It was time over the weekend for a matsuri-- a carnival, Japanese-style.

The occasion marked the traditional midsummer Obon festival at the grounds of the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Pacoima.

Hundreds of Japanese Americans and other Valley residents braved the sweltering heat Saturday and Sunday to watch folk dancing, munch on festival foods and observe demonstrations of traditional Japanese arts.

Jill Miyagawa, 15, of Chatsworth showed up at the festival dressed in casual, fashionable clothing, but she said she would be changing into a yukata , a cotton kimono more suitable for the hot weather, when the odori --dancing--began.

“I went to all the practices,” said Jill, who had been rehearsing for the festival dance since the Fourth of July.

Traditionally, Obon, a Buddhist holiday held in honor of the deceased, is celebrated in Japan in mid-August, said Kenji Watanabe, co-chair of the festival.

“These Obon festivals throughout Southern California have become a tradition for everyone, from Christian Japanese Americans to Caucasians and the local Hispanics,” Watanabe said.

The booths reflected that sense of Japanese tradition colliding with California culture.

One stand challenged baseball lovers to a round of “Nomomania”--in honor of Dodger pitching sensation Hideo Nomo--where players scored points by throwing balls at milk cans. The prizes were stuffed animals.

“Everybody loves the idea,” said Henry Asao, who was in charge of the booth. “But they are saying, ‘Where are the Nomo hats and T-shirts?’ ”

Across the way, temple volunteers sold foods ranging from hand-rolled sushi to Mexican taquitos.

Amid the revelry, the Obon coordinators arranged for a demonstration of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Reserved and undaunted by the noise and the glaring sun, Ayako Watanabe whisked together green tea for a small crowd that had gathered in front of her.

Even though it was a carnival, centuries-old traditions had a place.