e-Learning : Bon Odori 101: More Than Just Dancing
Presented by
Momiji / JSS / Yee Hong Centre
Wed. June 10th, 2026, 3:00 – 4:15 pm EDT
(English & Japanese)
First June session of our e-Learning series, co-hosted by Momiji Health Care Society, Japanese Social Services (JSS), and Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care will introduce “Bon Odori,” a traditional Japanese summer festival dance, focusing on its history and origins.
What is this session about?
What is Bon Odori, and why do people gather to dance every summer? This fun and engaging session explores the roots of Obon, the origins of Bon Odori, and even the surprising story of the “Bon Odori Ban.”
We will also look at fascinating stories from Hawaii, California, and Toronto, where Bon Odori has taken unique forms. Blending Buddhist background, cultural history, and surprising trivia, this session is designed to feel more like a variety show than a lecture.
Whether you are new to Bon Odori or have danced for years, you may see it in a new way.
*Guest speaker will be coming to the Momiji Craft Room to give a talk. This event will therefore be hybrid, combining in-person and online elements.
About our Guest Speaker
Presenter: Rev. Kensho Hashimoto (Resident Minister, Toronto Buddhist Church)
Rev. Kensho Hashimoto is a Japanese Buddhist minister in the Jodo Shinshu tradition, serving at the Toronto Buddhist Church since April 2024. TBC is a Buddhist temple with roots in the Japanese and Japanese Canadian community and has organized Bon Odori in Toronto for nearly 70 years.
He shares Buddhist teachings through services, community programs, and cultural events, and is actively involved in continuing the Bon Odori tradition. In Japan, he studied Japanese history at university and holds a museum curator qualification. Known for his warm smile and gentle presence, he offers an engaging and accessible approach to exploring Bon Odori through the lens of Buddhism, history, and culture.
How to Attend
Anyone interested can attend but pre-registration required. Click the registration button below, and fill and submit it before the session date. If you have difficulty using online registration system, feel free to contact the hosting agency.
（Registration Form will open from the button above）
Those who registered, will receive an invitation email with the Zoom link and ID/Passcode, by a day before the session date from the hosting organizations. Check your junk box if you can’t find it in your inbox – Email us if you don’t see it anywhere.
【Caution!】
1. Auto-email (to confirm what you filled) right after registration
You will receive a confirmation email from the system right after you “Submit” your form (this receipt does not contain the Zoom URL). Make sure to type correct email of yours. If you don’t see it, check your junk folder first, then contact JSS / Momiji.
2. Your Zoom display name should be recognizable to the host
Upon joining, please display your name on Zoom in ways we recognize that you registered. For example, instead of using nicknames or initials, include your first and/or last (e.g. Hanako Y, H. Yamada, Hanako Yamada) . We may not be able to allow you to enter for security purposes if we can’t recognize your name. We’ll show you how to change the display name 5 minutes before the session start.
※Contact JSS/Momiji if you don’t know how to change your Zoom display name.
Contact
- Momiji Health Care Society（Chikage）：416-261-6683 x.244 / ciw@momiji.on.ca
- Japanese Social Services (JSS) (Rumiko）：416-385-9200 / programs@jss.ca
Zoom – First Time?
If this is the first time you are trying out Zoom, we are more than happy to help you out with downloading and using Zoom, while connecting with you via phone. Please contact us as soon as possible, to book your practice session. *Availability may be limited depending on the number of requests.
**Please note that we most likely can’t help you connecting Zoom on the day of the seminar due to limited staffing. We encourage you to book us for the separate practice prior to the seminar date.
This eLearning series is:
- Provided by：Momiji Health Care Society、 Japanese Social Services (JSS)
- supported by Family Talks Forum (FTF)
