2013 Bon Dance Practices on Kauai

Bon Dance Committee Meeting, sponsored by Kauai Buddhist Council, was held at West Kauai Hongwanji Mission Hanepepe Temple last month.

Though I couldn't attend it, Mrs. Sarah Date of West Kauai Hongwanji kindlly sent me a copy of her memo.   Thank you so much!  Schedules of Bon Dance Practices on Kauai were announced as follows;

W.K.H. Waimea 7:00 p.m. Mondays, May 6, 13, 20

(338-1537)  

Lihue Hongwanji 7:30 p.m. Fridays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

(245-6262)

Kapaa Jodo 7:00 p.m. Thursdays, May 9, 16, 23, 30

(822-4319)

Kapaa Hongwanji 7:15 p.m. Mondays, from April 22

(822-4667)

Hanapepe Neighborhood Center 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

(338-1537 or 335-3521)

So now, I'd like to add our schedule of practice here.

Koloa Jodo   7:00 p.m.   Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28....

(742-6735)

Also at the meeting, they decided to add a song called "Gokigen Song" to the 2012 Bon Dance Songs.  A total will be 17 songs with this new addition in 2013.

Then, what is Gokigen song（ご機嫌ソング）?

"Gokigen" in Japanese, means "mood" or "feeling." It is usually used as "Gokigen ga ii" meaning "glorious" or "in a very good mood."   Gokigen is also used in the context of asking one's health or one's mood.  So it means "How are you?"   My translation of "Gokigen-Song" will be..."a Happy-go-lucky Song."   By the way, "Song" is "Song" nowadays in Japan.  So Japanese name of this song is "Gokigen Song."

As of today, I'm not sure which "Gokigen song" will be used, but the one I found at youtube is here.

I've just realized Bon Dance is comoing soon!!!!

Are you ready?