July 22, 2005
Japanese Folk Dance Festival on Jesup Green Saturday
Westport's Jesup Green will be the site of a Japanese “Bon Odori” folk dance festival Saturday. 
Taiko Masala: Japanese drums highlight Bon Odori. Contributed photo
The Japan Society of Fairfield County is sponsoring the event, which features Taiko drum performances, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Japanese food will be available at the Matsu Sushi Japanese restaurant on Jesup Green. Or guests may bring picnic lunches along with chairs or blankets to sit on. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is nearby.
Taiko Masala, a group of Japanese Taiko drummers from throughout the tri-state area led by Hiro Kurashima, will give two performances at the festival.
There will be a demonstration of typical Japanese Bon Odori folk dances by renowned classical Japanese dance instructor Kyoko Ohnishi. The public will be invited to join in the dance and try out this ancient Japanese version of the Conga line.
Adults and children may try their hand at the drums at the conclusion of the drum performances.
Bon Odori, or Obon, is one of two major annual Japanese festivals. It is derived from a traditional Buddhist belief that deceased family members return for a visit once a year in the summer.
The festival, with its traditional Japanese folk music and dance, is to welcome the spirits back, and involves the whole community.
This is the 12th consecutive year that the Japan Society of Fairfield County has scheduled a Bon Odori in the area, and the first year that the festival is to be held on Jesup Green in Westport.
The Japan Society of Fairfield County, Inc. is a private, nonprofit membership organization, run entirely by volunteers, and dedicated to building mutual knowledge, understanding and appreciation between the people of the United States and Japan through educational, cultural and philanthropic programs.
Activities of the Society are sustained through modest membership dues plus contributions from individuals and organizations, which are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Members of the public are welcome to join the Society. For more information call (203) 431-0697 or (203)226-6454.
