{"id":21999,"date":"2026-04-29T17:28:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jss.ca\/?p=21999"},"modified":"2026-04-29T17:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:30:19","slug":"bon_odori_seminar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jss.ca\/en\/news\/bon_odori_seminar\/","title":{"rendered":"e-Learning : Bon Odori 101: More Than Just Dancing"},"content":{"rendered":"
Presented by<\/h5>\n
Momiji \/ JSS \/ Yee Hong Centre<\/h5>\n

Wed. June 10th, 2026, 3:00 \u2013 4:15 pm EDT\u3000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

(English & Japanese)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

First June session of our e-Learning series, co-hosted by Momiji Health Care Society,<\/a>\u00a0Japanese Social Services (JSS)<\/a>, and\u00a0Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care\u00a0<\/a> will introduce \u201cBon Odori,\u201d a traditional Japanese summer festival dance, focusing on its history and origins.<\/p>\n

What is this session about?<\/h2>\n

\"\"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 \u201cBon Odori Ban.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Whether you are new to Bon Odori or have danced for years, you may see it in a new way.<\/p>\n

*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.<\/em><\/p>\n

About our Guest Speaker<\/h2>\n

Presenter: Rev. Kensho Hashimoto (Resident Minister, Toronto Buddhist Church) <\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"Rev. Kensho Hashimoto is a Japanese Buddhist minister in the Jodo Shinshu tradition, serving at the Toronto Buddhist Church<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

How to Attend<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\uff08Registration Form will open from the button above\uff09<\/p>\n

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\u2019t find it in your inbox \u2013 Email us if you don\u2019t see it anywhere.<\/p>\n

\u3010Caution!\u3011<\/h3>\n

1.\u00a0Auto-email (to confirm what you filled) right after registration<\/h4>\n

You will receive a confirmation email from the system right after you \u201cSubmit\u201d your form (this receipt does not contain the Zoom URL). Make sure to type correct email of yours.\u00a0If you don\u2019t see it, check your junk folder first<\/strong>, then contact JSS \/ Momiji.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Your Zoom display name should be recognizable to the host<\/h4>\n

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\u2019t recognize your name. We\u2019ll show you how to change the display name 5 minutes before the session start.<\/p>\n

\u203bContact JSS\/Momiji if you don\u2019t know how to change your Zoom display name.<\/p>\n

Contact<\/h2>\n