Zojoji Bonodori

Hi Hi sisters ...... I have been buzzing like a busy bee 'again', guess doctors can only advise so much. Even though some expatriates prefer to return to their home countries to escape from the scorching heat, but summer in Tokyo is where all the actions are! There are matsuri (summer festivals), hanabi (fireworks), awaodori and bonodori (folk dance).

I still remember last year we passed by a neighborhood Bonodori. As we watched families dressed in beautiful yukata and happily danced to Japanese folk songs and Taiko drums, how I wish I could imitate those beautiful dance movements! But where to begin for a foreigner who knew nothing about this Japanese tradition? So I just kept this little wish quietly at the bottom of my heart. Life is really full of hopes and miracles, through a very kind Japanese sister E, I happened to watch a dance performance by my present Nihon Buyo sensei (Japanese dance teacher). As they say, the rest is history ......

This past weekend, I finally made my ‘debut’ in a Bonodori – I mean actually wearing a yukata and do the Bon dance! Yes, it’s not a big deal to others as hundreds of people are dancing too, but it’s a dream come true for me. Well, my sensei has been patiently teaching sister E & myself the 6 popular dances ahead of time. On the day of the Bonodori, sensei’s own kimono lady even came to her house to dress us and do our hair, so kind :) My long hair is tied so tight into a bun, hehe like my yukata?


This Bonodori was held in Zojoji (増上寺), at the foot of Tokyo Tower. Zojoji was the Tokugawa Shogunate family's temple during the Edo period (1590).

The front gate

The side halls

The quiet bamboo corridor - very zen

The Yagura (central dance platform) was set up in the main temple ground
This has got to be the classiest matsuri food stalls ever - hotel chefs in white uniforms with silver serving trays! Kids fishing game
Usually the summer heat is so unbearable that you can’t even stay out for 5 minutes, miraculously the weather really co-operated that day. The rainy forecast never materialized, it was cool and breezy like a spring night. My sensei told me it has always been the case, it's because one of our dance is dedicated to Ojijo-sama (the God of Land). The dance started right before dusk, went well into the night. The dance sensei would go up the Yagura and led the dance, and the rest of us danced around the Yagura in circles.


Some kindergarten classes were invited and these cute little kids were all dancing around us :)

As the night went on, more and more people arrived and joined in.

I took a glance at hubby and he was tirelessly following me in circles, trying to capture this precious moment for me.
As I admired the stunningly beautiful night view of Zojoji and Tokyo Tower, I couldn’t help but be very grateful for what I was experiencing. The little secret wish that I dare not think too much about had now become a reality. I turned around and thanked the caring sister E, my heart was filled with joy but my eyes were swelled with tears.

Thanks for reading :)