Source: Appeal-Democrat

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/071303/071203mhsObon.shtml

On July 12, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "Saturday night, [Toshiye] Kawamura danced several dances with a group of women and girls on stage at the Buddhist Church of Marysville [WA] during the annual Obon Festival. A larger circle of revelers, many of whom had practiced four or six times previously, followed their guides' moves... Japanese paper lanterns kept the evening glowing and dancers dressed in flowing yukatas, the summer version of a kimono, entertained the crowd of about 300 revelers... Obon means gathering of joy, and Yuba City [CA] resident Ray Sasaki celebrates it every year with his old-time friends and folks he has grown up with."