Kimono Dressing and Bontique
BWA Activities during Bon Dance
One of the most anticipated events of the summer is Hawaii Betsuin’s Bon Dance. Traditionally, it is held on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the last weekend in June. To many, it marks the beginning of the Season of Obon. Bon Dance has such warm and wide appeal -- folks gather in joyous remembrance of loved ones and everyone is welcome to dance in this gathering of joy.
Outside, the sights and sounds of Bon Dance fill the senses; inside the social hall, there is also much to take in. Families and friends are gathered at the tables, dining on tasty offerings from the food booths and, there appear to be three hubs of activity: on the stage, a professional photographer is taking photos of children, teens, and adults beautifully dressed in colorful Japanese wear; folks are browsing among the many racks and tables of the Bontique; and excited children play a Spin the Wheel Game. The Hawaii Betsuin BWA is involved in all three activities.
For many years, during Bon Dance, the BWA has provided happi coats, cotton yukatas, kimonos, and accessories to folks who wish to have professional photos taken. BWA also offers the free services of volunteer “dressers” to help folks look their best for the camera. For children, the BWA dresser finds appropriate-sized garments for each child and involves the parent and child in the selection process. If a floor-length yukata or kimono is chosen, the length is adjusted and a long, narrow fabric “belt” is wrapped around the child’s waist and tied to hold the garment securely in place. A dresser drapes these narrow fabric “belts” around her shoulders so that one may be whisked off when needed.
The dresser selects the obi for the child, usually a soft sash, and ties it around the child’s waist. Then, the dresser looks for appropriate-sized slippers and the child tries them on for a good fit. The dresser most often suggests kanzashi, hair ornaments for the girls and, for the boys, perhaps, hachimaki, a Japanese headband often worn at summer festivals. Some parents style their children’s hair for the photo session.
Teen girls and women make their own selections from BWA’s extensive array of beautiful yukatas and kimonos. Once the chosen garment is on its subject, the dresser adjusts it for length and uses two fabric ties to hold it in place. The dresser then selects an obi that enhances the yukata or kimono, usually by adding color and textural accents. There are basic ways to tie the long obi but if a more formal kimono has been chosen, a more experienced dresser will select the obi and all the obi accessories and complete that part of the dressing. Finally, slippers or geta must be chosen, as well as a pretty hair ornament. The dressers are gratified to see folks beam upon witnessing their transformation in the Kimono Dressing mirror.
For teen boys and men, the dressing process is fairly simple. They most often select happi coats and cotton yukata for the photo session. Obi for teen boys and men are much narrower than women’s obi; they are worn below the stomach and tied in a simple knot.
On occasion, folks come to the Kimono Dressing area with their own yukatas or kimonos and request that BWA dressers’ assist them in preparing for their photo session. The dressers are happy to accommodate them and will provide whatever accessories are needed. In this photo, a mother and two daughters commemorate the 40th anniversary of Grandma’s passing by dressing in Grandma’s yukatas for their photo session.
Bontique
Adjacent to the Kimono Dressing area in the social hall is the BWA Bontique. For two days prior to Bon Dance, BWA volunteers set up the racks and tables in the Bontique area and arrange and price the items. All of the items in the sales inventory have been donated to Hawaii Betsuin.
During Bon Dance, those who wish to take a break from outside festivities enjoy perusing the many Bontique items for sale, which are mostly Japanese or Asian. On the clothing racks are Japanese happi coats for children and adults, cotton yukatas, and lovely kimonos. Laid out on the Bontique tables are many accessory items such as obi, scarves, fans, hair ornaments, and slippers. Also on the tables are functional pieces such as dishware and trays and decorative pieces such as dolls, vases, pictures, and scrolls. Small Japanese knick-knacks and toys are also included. Folks pay for their purchase at the BWA Cashier table where volunteers take pleasure in seeing what a patron has chosen.
“Wow – this is nice!”
Spin the Wheel Game
The liveliest area in the social hall during Bon Dance could very well be the BWA Spin the Wheel Game area for children. For a $1 spin of the wheel, a child may choose a prize, or if he/she is especially lucky, two or three -- any stuffed toy on the game table may be chosen. BWA volunteers at the Game table have every reason to smile as they see each child select a stuffed toy to hug and treasure.
Around 9:00 p.m., Saturday evening of Bon Dance, folks are still dancing outside but the BWA activities inside the social hall are closing down. All the Kimono Dressing happis, yukatas, and kimonos must be carefully folded and, along with accessories, placed in plastic bins. They will be stored in the social hall closet until Bon Dance the following year. All the unsold Bontique items must also be boxed and stored. BWA volunteers are so very grateful for the support of temple members and friends in helping with these tasks.
Late Saturday night, BWA volunteers are tired but happy that Bon Dance has brought them together once again in the spirit of dana and aloha. For BWA volunteers too, it has been a gathering of joy.
By Wendie Yumori
