Coming Together for Obon

A large crowd showed up under lightly smokey skies from wildfires on Sunday afternoon at Arcata’s Creamery District to celebrate Obon. The Japanese Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors is a recent tradition in Humboldt, having begun locally in 2022. After opening shakuhachi (Japanese flute) music by Rick Kruse, emcee Marylyn Paik-Nicely welcomed the attendees and described the unique and ever-evolving nature of the Arcata event as “Obon Humboldt style.”

Rev. Sakamoto, formerly of the San Jose Buddhist Church, shared reflection and a Buddhist blessing, along with stories and traditions of Obon. This was the last year of his participation in the festival. He closed by saying how thankful he was “for everything that we can experience and enjoy together as a community. And a reminder in this world that we need to share a sense of kindness, compassion and caring for each other.”

Rick Kruse offered shakuhachi (Japanese flute) music at the opening of the Japanese Obon Festival honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors on Sunday in Arcata. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

To open the festival, Rev. Sakamoto, formerly of the San Jose Buddhist Church, shared stories and traditions of Obon. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Attendees and dancers were encouraged to wear kimonos, yukatas or other Japanese-style outfits. Those without could borrow from a “lending library.” Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Founding Obon Festival organizer and volunteer Marylyn Paik-Nicely modeled the event’s fifth annual T-shirt design at the marketplace. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Michael Nakashima, of Eureka, paused for a moment at the ancestors’ tree, where people could tie personal wishes, hopes or notes to loved ones who have passed. After the event, the messages were to be burned and a sculpture created from the ashes. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Organizer Craig Kuramada described how the event has continued to exceed expectations over the years compared to when he and others first began thinking about offering a local Obon event. “That first year of the Obon Festival, I had low expectations of attendance, thinking maybe all 10 Asians living in Humboldt County would show up — but we sold out.”

The always popular Humboldt Taiko Japanese drumming performance led by Gary Ronne got everyone’s heart rate up and Kuramada next invited everyone to join in Bon Odori dancing (traditional Obon festival folk dancing) around the stage regardless of previous Bon dancing experience. Though, for the dedicated, Kuramada teaches the dances in the weeks prior to the festival. The multi-generational Humboldt Ondo Band, comprised of Rachel and Jim Hatchimonji, and Kyoko Dedini, provided live music for a portion of the dancing sets. Attendees of all heritages were encouraged to wear kimonos, yukatas or other Japanese-style outfits. And if you didn’t have one at hand, a lending closet of kimonos and happi coats was available.

Barefoot, synchronized and dramatic traditional drumming from Humboldt Taiko. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

A large crowd gathered to hear the always popular and thunderous Humboldt Taiko led by Gary Ronne. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Emily Hsu and Gary Ronne created a powerful rhythmic duet on this large drum in the Humboldt Taiko Japanese drumming performance. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Patti Hecht provided a smile and a strong beat during Humboldt Taiko’s Japanese drumming performance. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Two popular Studio Ghibli animated characters also joined in the dancing: Neko Basu (Cat Bus), the grinning feline vehicle from the film My Neighbor Totoro, and Kaonashi (No Face), the masked spirit from the film Spirited Away.

On hand was a broad mix of Asian and Pacific Islander food vendors, art and informational vendors, kids’ games, Asian food vendors, artists and live music. Blending the July Tanabata festival tradition with Buddhist Obon altars, organizers arranged an ancestors’ tree where people could write personal wishes, hopes or notes to loved ones who have passed.Event organizer Humboldt Asian and Pacific Islanders (HAPI) is a DreamMaker Project of the Ink People Center for the Arts, a community-based, grassroots, artist-run arts and culture nonprofit organization. For more information about the festival, or to make a donation toward festival costs, go to hapihumboldt.org.