Obon Odori
Obon Odori is said to have started when one of Shakamuni Buddha’s disciples, Moggallana, danced with joy after following the Buddha’s advice in order to save his mother from suffering in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.
In Toronto, we have celebrated our ancestors by dancing during our Obon weekend since the early 1950s. Obon Odori has been held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in conjunction with their Natsu Matsuri (summer festival). Other venues were Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square and Albert Campbell Square. Practices are held at the Toronto Buddhist Church from late April until mid-July, ending with our Obon weekend.
If you would like to join in, lessons are held on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Social Hall from 8:00pm until 9:30pm. Attendees will receive step-by-step instructions from our instructors.
Details:
- Age: 3 years to 80+ years of age.
- Gender: Male and Female
- When: Minyo practices begin in April (after Hanamatsuri) and are held from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays until Obon (usually the second Saturday in July).
For more information, please contact the Temple office at tbc@tbc.on.ca
Buyo
“Buyo” is a term derived from a combination of the Japanese characters for “odori” and “mai”. The term “odori” is more closely associated with folk dancing whereas “mai” is typically a more restrained, ceremonial type of dance.
Under the direction of Sensui Kozakura since 1994, the TBC Buyo Group is a Japanese dance group based at the Toronto Buddhist Church. At present, there are 18 active members ranging in age from teenagers to seniors, who enjoy learning, sharing and promoting Japanese culture through dance. They have performed at Temple events, as well as at many venues throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario, and serve as ambassadors of the Toronto Buddhist Church. Although most of the group’s dances are in the “Shin-buyo” or modern style of Japanese dance, the dance repertoire ranges from classical and folk dance styles to more modern popular music.
“Kitsuke” (the proper wearing of a kimono) is another important aspect of lessons.
Details:
- Age: Minimum 6 years to 60+ years of age
- Gender: Female
- Where: Toronto Buddhist Church Social Hall (basement)
- When:
- Seniors – Thursday afternoons at 1pm
- For all other groups – Fridays at 7:30pm
For more information, please contact the Temple office at tbc@tbc.on.ca