LA Online Photo courtesy of Margaret Abe Head teacher Marilyn Ozawa, whose professional name is Sanjo Kanyoshi, will be dancing in the Bon Odori at the Obon Festival in Mountain View. Family, friends and the community are invited to gather together to celebrate Obon, a midsummer Buddhist holiday dedicated to feeling joy and gratitude for the gifts of life, heritage and all good things believers have taken for granted or forgotten. Organizers said Obon is a time to share memories of ancestors. Obon is also called Kangi-e or the season of gathering joy. The weekend celebration will include Japanese and Western foods, cultural exhibits, a flower shop, bookstore, bingo, games for children and adults, Japanese dancing, music and raffle prizes.
Food ranges from sushi, tempura and teriyaki to corn dogs, hamburgers and ice cream.
Masae Okuno of Los Altos, among the 61 Los Altos and Los Altos Hills members of the temple, said some of the Japanese food can take as long as a week to prepare for the festival. In addition to preparing sushi, Okuno makes manju, a sweet item made with lima beans and cookie dough. She noted unagi, a barbecued eel dish, is a favorite among festival goers. This year's festival is co-chaired by Larry Matsumoto and Richard Miyashiro. In addition to the celebration, the Buddhists observing Obon also visit the cemetery and conduct memorial services.