Orange County Buddhist Church’s annual Hanamatsuri and Bazaar, which commemorates the birth of the historical Buddha (April 8), took place April 11 and 12 in Anaheim. The event was not held last year due to Social Hall construction. Entertainment included minyo by Sasaki Mitsuru Sangen Kai (pictured) along with Japanese dance by Fujima Seiyumi Kai and Mme. Misaye Bando; koto by Emily Yoshihara; kendo led by Kohjiro Kinno; karate led by Fumio Demura; Team 1 Judo; aikido by OC Aikikai; drumming by OCBC Daion Taiko; and traditional Japanese singing by Susan Nishi.
The Hanamido (flower pavilion) in the Hondo shelters the baby Buddha statue. It is said that the Buddha’s mother saw a white elephant in a dream before his birth. Talks were given in the Hondo on “Intro to Mindfulness” by Dr. David Hirohama and “Intro to Buddhism” by Ellen Crane and Jim Pollard.
Food booths offered Imagawa yaki, ika (squid) teriyaki, dango and dango dogs, plus oden, udon, teriburgers, corn, Spam musubi and more.
For visitors with a sweet tooth, the bake sale offered a wide selection.
Other booths featured fresh produce (pictured), the Buddhist Education Center’s bookstore, and a craft boutique.
Visitors played games of chance like Donation Ball (pictured) as well as games of skill such as basketball and target shooting, and tossing ping pong balls into goldfish bowls.
Mme. Soyu Tanaka led tea ceremony demonstrations.
Cultural exhibits and their sponsors included ikebana (Mme. Kiyoko Arimura), kimekomi dolls (Yukari Kanesaka), chigiri-e (Tsuruko Iwohara), and Japanese swords (D. Suran). Also displayed were sumi-e (John Mizuno), Japanese artifacts (Gary Yoshino), and bonsai (Bruce Boyer).
Fantail koi were displayed by Gordon Chibana.
Exhibit of Dharma School students’ artwork celebrating Buddha’s birthday, overseen by Seiju Terada. There was also a display on Buddhism in the internment camps by Eiko Masuyama.
Photos by J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo