Okaeri matsuri staff, volunteers, and TAIKOPROJECT.
By MARIE SEKIGUCHI, Kizuna NCI Intern
Pink wisteria and rainbows graced the entryway of the Terasaki Budokan courtyard. A sense of safety and belonging fell over guests of all ages at the Okaeri Matsuri on June 29. It was a celebration of queerness and Japanese culture, open to all. The festival welcomed many Nikkei LGBTQ+guests including drag performance queens: Bibi Discoteca (they/she) and Gia Gunn (she/her), TAIKOPROJECT, and Minyo performers: Mariko Rooks (they/she) and Cam (he/they).
Okaeri was originally founded to connect LGBTQ+ Nikkei individuals with resources and to guide their parents by providing information and support. This initiative stemmed from the personal experiences of its founder, Marsha Aizumi, and her son Aiden Aizumi, who intimately understood the myriad challenges faced by queer individuals within AAPI households. Their shared journey underscored the profound isolation that can accompany coming out, motivating them to ensure that no one else would have to navigate this path alone. Okaeri stands as a beacon of solidarity and empowerment, dedicated to fostering acceptance, understanding, and a sense of belonging for all members of the LGBTQ+ Nikkei community and their families.
Guests doing odori at Okaeri Matsuri.
This Okaeri Matsuri, the organization, introduced a new song and dance: The Okaeri Ondo. This song is a collaboration with Great Leap who famously wrote the “Fandango” odori song and includes vocals from Traci Kato-Kiriyama, Lindsay Shimizu, and Ale Campillo who are members of the Okaeri and Fandangobon community. Dances also included Pokemon Ondo, Tanko Bushi, Oyama Ondo, Ichi tasu Ichi, Bambutsu, and Eijanaika, lead by Mariko, Cam, and Gia Gunn.
Catering was hosted by family-owned Little Tokyo restaurant: Azay, located on 226 1st St and included a variety of fan favorites like hayashi rice and new choices like peach butter mochi. Also offered was fresh fruit with ingredients from long-term Japanese American advocates such as Matsumoto farm, Yasutomi farms, Kashima ranch, Koda farms, Tamai family farms, Fujiya market, and the Yakipapis!
Like most obons and matsuris, Okaeri Matsuri included a raffle, festival games, but most importantly community. This is Okaeri’s second obon, and here’s to many more!
Founder’s son, Aiden Aizumi, plays a festival game.