I'm not japanese but I took my family to a bon dance. Honestly it was for the food but my kids ended up in the circle dancing. Enjoyed ourselves. I'll be ready at the next bon dance.
I was so disappointed when our local Parks Dept couldn't offer kupuna hula. I was looking forward to learning new ways to move and get closer to the Island. I am SO HAPPY the Hawai'i County Parks offered a link to this lovely class! I miss going out for lunch, and seeing the kupuna showing us the joys of life. Mahalo for sharing. I too, will Share it!
My sister in law said you made a video of Gigong, and I remember going to some of your classes in Hilo. So happy you posted this! Thank you very much. I now live in Dreamland.
Every well-known bon/ondo dance has distinctive moves as they come from different regions and parts of Japan and refer to local culture/traditions/ways. Like the first song, Tankô Bushi (Coal miner's song) has moves which imitate coal mining. There are many moves which are "universal" and are often used as 'filler' between the song's themed move sequences. Bon dancing is interesting :)
