San Jose’s colourful annual Obon Competition drew lots of of individuals to Japantown this weekend.
The competition is the biggest of its variety in america and is sponsored by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.
The Obon competition is an annual conventional “to remember and honor those who have provided us with a strong and lasting foundation,” in response to the church’s web site. Group members, many dressed for the event in kimonos and different Japanese apparel, gathered to get pleasure from video games, music, performances, and a sampling of Japanese meals, beer and sake.
Rinban Gerald Sakamoto, the pinnacle minister of the church which organizes the occasion, is main it for the final time as he’s retiring after 39 years.
The competition’s most important attraction is the standard Bon Odori, through which lots of of individuals carry out a group dance. The dance opens and closes with gassho, a prayer to the Buddha, by the pinnacle minister.
San Jose’s Japantown is certainly one of solely three left in america, making the competition and its traditions that rather more important.
The Bon Odori dance will start at 6 p.m. Sunday night time when you’re fascinated with attending.
Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon competition is an annual conventional Japanese competition that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates group. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Rinban Gerald Sakamoto leads gassho throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Names of ancestors are connected to lanterns that adorn the road throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group eat Japanese meals throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)A competition goer takes a have a look at a vendor’s origami cranes, that are symbols of excellent luck, longevity and happiness, throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)A festivalgoer takes half within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)A festivalgoer takes half within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Bandanas adorn a sales space throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Alice Oshiro along with her daughters, Desirae, 7, left, and Payton,3, of Fremont, wearing kimonos for the event, attend the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group make tempura throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Names of ancestors are connected to lanterns that mild up the road throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon competition is an annual conventional Japanese competition that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates group. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)A bunch of girls in kimonos pose for a bunch picture earlier than participating within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The Obon competition is an annual conventional Japanese competition that honors and remembers ancestors and celebrates group. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)Members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)The San Jose Chidori band performs as members of the group participate within the Odori dancing throughout the Obon competition on the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)