Saturday, August 9, 2025. A “Kizoku Ishiki Obon” celebration will be hosted at the Vashon Cemetery Saturday, August 9th, noon to 5 p.m. Kizoku Ishiki means a deep sense of belonging and Obon is the annual festival to appreciate our ancestors, our indebtedness to others and joyfully dance. This free and fun cultural event will include dance, art displays, walking tours, picnicking, performances and more. Kizoku Ishiki Obon will honor and learn about our Asian immigrant ancestors and recognize our Black, Indigenous, and immigrant ancestors buried at the Vashon Cemetery. For information, visit www.vashoncemetery.org.
Obon is a joyful Asian festival of remembrance traditionally celebrated in July and August. In many cultural traditions, ancestral veneration remains deeply ingrained in daily life. These communal celebrations maintain a connection to the past and seek guidance from ancestors concerning health, agriculture and community. Fresh food, family activities and community connection are integral to Obon celebrations.
A Bon Odori Buddhist folk dance is often performed during these festivals. It provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor an ancestor’s life with “okagesama de” – a Japanese saying meaning I am because of you. It is an expression of gratitude for those that have gone before us. Festival attendees will be invited to join these simple communal Bon Odori line dances.
The Vashon celebration will include special performances, including traditional Japanese music by Minyo members and Koto no Wa; poetry by author, lawyer and activist Troy Osaki, classical harp by Vanessa Stovall and dani tirrells’ Congregation, with dance excerpts from Elysium (afterlife).
Members from The Vashon Heritage Museum and Mukai Farm and Garden will be located throughout the grounds to share information about families buried at the cemetery. There will be guided walking tours highlighting the cemetery trees, including the recently planted cherry tree from the Vashon Island Fruit Club’s “100 Cherry Trees Project”. On display will be cultural crafts and a Friendship Bench with the Aunties.
August 9th is the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The Vashon Obon will commemorate this terrible event by offering a special peace procession of costumed dancers in a siege of herons during the Obon celebration. Local artist, Chantal Uto designed the heron costumes which were commissioned by the Wild Wood Foundation.
Established in 1977, the King County Cemetery District #1 is a public owned cemetery district located on Vashon Island. Part of their mission includes ensuring that the cemetery grounds reflect the character and traditions of Vashon-Maury Island, both historic and present.
Kintsugi Somatic Art, event organizer, is founded and directed by multi-disciplinary artist and social justice activist, Leah Okamoto Mann. “Kintsugi” is a Japanese concept which means mend with gold. It is the art of repairing broken things, traditionally pottery or glass. It is also a metaphor for human resiliency and recovery.
For event information, visit the Vashon Cemetery District #1 website at www.vashoncemetery.org.
