GETTING READY FOR THE UPCOMING OBON FESTIVAL IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
Dance classes are at the Redwood Raks Dance Studio, 824 L Street in Arcata, CA.
We will meet Sundays from 6-7:15 in the Jade Studio and Mondays from 7-8 in the Bella Studio.
WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE FESTIVAL!
EMAIL: hapi.humboldt@gmail.com
ONEGAI SHIMASU!
BON ODORI NO UTA (UCHIWA)
ICHI TASU ICHI NO ONDO
BAMBUTSU NO TSUNAGARI (NEW FOR 2025)
MATSUMOTO BON BON (UCHIWA)
MOTTAINAI
OKAERI ONDO
9 (New for 2024)
https://youtu.be/Xb8PF5GApJ4?si=iG7_faKeNEmI6pr9
SHIAWASE SAMBA
SORAN BUSHI
https://youtube.com/shorts/t9psBi6Md2M (rear view as requested)
TANKO BUSHI
TOKYO ONDO
UNAGAPPA ONDO
Other links from other festivals
Shiawase Samba (done by Waimea Temple in 2015) https://youtu.be/Do7XbGFOZiE
Virtual Obon in Salt Lake City: https://youtu.be/tBSUbEGY3nI
2022's San Jose Obon (lots of videos here!): https://www.sjbetsuin.org/annual_obon_festival/
BAMBUTSU NO TSUNAGARI
This music is only available for purchase. Please support Sensei Miyamoto with this small purchase: $1 (Buy single track)
BON ODORI NO UTA
Bon Odori Uta.mp3ICHI TASU ICHI NO ONDO
Ichi Tasu Ichi no Ondo.mp3MATSUMOTO BON BON
Matsumoto Bon Matsuri Dance.mp3SHIAWASE SAMBA
Shiawase Samba.mp3MOTTAINAI
Mottainai (feat. Nancy Sekizawa & Carla Vega).mp3OKAERI ONDO
Okaeri Ondo.mp3SORAN BUSHI
Soran Bushi.mp3TANKO BUSHI
Kyushu tanko Bushi.mp3TOKYO ONDO
Tokyo Ondo.mp3UNAGAPPA ONDO
Unagappa Ondo.mp3CALLS AND RESPONSES FOR THE DANCERS
BON ODORI NO UTA:
Yoi, sa!
Ora sei yo ho ha hoi, ha! (at the end of the sing verse).
Ha! (in the verse – it’s quick!)
ICHI TASU ICHI NO ONDO (1+1):
Ichi tasu ni wa: (Lead Singer) Taiyo da! (Dancers)
San tasu kyuu wa: Arigato!
Kimi tasu boku wa: Ai rabu yu
Mama tasu papa wa: Shiranai
Yon tasu yon: Ha ha ha no ha
Go tasu go: Suten ten!
MATSUMOTO BON BON:
Bon Bon, Matsumoto Bon Bon Bon! (Crossing & arms wide step)
Do koi do koi jinja!
SORAN BUSHI:
Hai, hai!
Ya sa e---, ya sa do koi sho! Hai, do koi sho! (when pulling in the nets)
TANKO BUSHI:
A yoi,yoi!
Sa no yoi yoi
TOKYO ONDO:
Yoi! Yoi!
UNAGAPPA ONDO
Ne?
About the teacher
Craig Kurumada grew up dancing in Obon Festivals in Salt Lake City, Utah in the 60's through the 80's. He has taught Japanese and international folk dancing for over thirty years. He lives in Arcata and performs world music with the folk band Chubritza. He is very excited to be a part of the Humboldt Obon Festival.
