Bon Odori 2011
Another year has come and gone, so have the Bon Odori Festival Arigatou Malaysia 2011.
Obon (お盆?) or just Bon (盆?) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one’s ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors’ graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.
In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festivals are also celebrated every year in Penang and at the Matsushita Corp Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor. This celebration, which is a major attraction for the state of Selangor, is the brain child of the Japanese Expatriate & Immigrant’s Society in Malaysia. In comparison to the celebrations in Japan, the festival is celebrated on a much smaller scale in Penang and Selangor, and is less associated with Buddhism and more with Japanese culture. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food and drinks, art and dance.
Source from: http://en.wikipedia.org
JADC members have yet again participated in the Festival as this is one of our club’s annual events. Here are some photos that was taken.
Before putting on the costume
Practice Practice Practice
Colourful colourful flags.
Early comers
Stalls setting up. Note: Sakae Sushi is here!
Super kawaii mushrooms!
Friends who came to join the fun!
Pep Talk
In full costume! 
Our Awesome Sensei!!
Massive crowd by 7pm
Starting off with flags
Hop, Step, Jump!
Lets do the twist…. Remember to bend now!!
Tap tap to the left….
Awesome job everyone!!
Together with Sensei!!
Photo credits to Kenrick Chua…….
Look forward to more awesome events coming up!!
