Dennis Evanosky

Alameda's Buddhist Temple on Pacific Avenue celebrated Obon last Saturday with San Jose's Chidori Band and dancers led by Michiya Hanayagi and her daughter, Michisuya Hanayagi. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor departed ancestors. The custom evolved into a family-reunion holiday when people began returning to ancestral places to visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. It has been celebrated for more than 500 years.