Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
OGDEN — For the past 15 years, Maia Yoshida has participated in the annual Obon Festival held at the Buddhist Church of Ogden, dancing in remembrance of her ancestors and loved ones lost.
The annual festival was held this past weekend, and 17-year-old Maia, who is a fifth-generation Japanese American from Utah, once again donned a traditional Japanese Kimono in solemn remembrance of those who have passed. Her father, Toby Yoshida, serves as a vice president on the church's board. He spoke about the history behind much of the Japanese population in Ogden and Salt Lake City, specifically, and how important these festivals are for both the Japanese community and the community at large.
"My family came in the late 1800s with the fruit trade, where they brought people over to do fruit farms," Toby Yoshida said. "We had a large Japanese American population in this area and California, and that's how the church started in the U.S. We are considered Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, and it originated in Kyoto, Japan."
Salt Lake City and Ogden were two of the main areas where Japanese communities formed in the late 19th century, bringing with them cultural traditions as well as thriving businesses. Toby Yoshida explained that these communities that were known as "Japantown" were vital to the early Japanese settlers because they helped them to maintain culture and belief systems and gave them a sense of community.
According to historical accounts, World War II brought about a lot of unrest and changes in these communities, but those who remained wanted a place to practice their religion and keep their traditions alive.
A Buddhist minister was sent to Ogden in 1912, and the original church was built on 25th Street. But by the 1960s, that building was deemed uninhabitable, and people in the Buddhist community were charged with the task of relocating. One of those individuals was Toby Yoshida's grandfather.
"I don't know who founded the original church in the old Japantown in downtown Ogden, but my grandfather was part of the founding committee to find a new location that we have today," Toby Yoshida said. "When the new location was found, I think it parallels what's happening now with Japantown in Salt Lake. … There's a lot of growth in that area downtown … and those who have been there for a long time feel like they should still be there, and sometimes it's not quite their decision."
Toby Yoshida explained that he understands that communities change and that oftentimes change is necessary, adding that having events like the Obon Festival reminds them of where they came from and why they are here.
'It means the world to me'
The festival is open to the community, whether they are practicing Buddhists, or of Japanese descent or not. The entire festival is dedicated to honoring loved ones lost through cleaning graves, leaving food offerings, hanging and releasing lanterns and performing traditional Obon dances and prayers.
"Honestly, it means the world to me," Maia said. "I look forward to the Obon Festival every year. I've been dancing in the festival since I was 2 (years old) and have never missed one. It's a beautiful way to honor ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.
"The yagura (a raised stage), which Taiko drummers and dancers circle around, holds a variety of brightly colored paper lanterns that include a passed loved one's name. This part became really important to me ever since my cousin passed away in 2021. It's another way of celebrating and remembering her. I also love that the festival is inclusive to everyone, no matter your religious association, sexual orientation, etc.," Maia said.
There are a lot of people of different ethnicities. It started as a Japanese American, religious and cultural type of centerpiece, but things have moved to meet the needs of how life has changed for the community over time.
–Toby Yoshida, Buddhist Church of Ogden
Toby Yoshida spoke to the inclusiveness of not only these events but within their Buddhist community as well, adding that their church is "not so Japanese anymore."
"Two of our assistant ministers are not Japanese, and most of our families are blended," he explained. "There are a lot of people of different ethnicities. It started as a Japanese American, religious and cultural type of centerpiece, but things have moved to meet the needs of how life has changed for the community over time."
One thing that hasn't changed, Toby Yoshida said, is that it's a community filled with love. He spoke to the peace he has long felt at events like these and said that it's something he wishes could happen everywhere.
"You would think that all of the people at the Obon are Buddhist, but at most half of them are," he said. "My cousin is Catholic, and a lot of the people are LDS (Latter-day Saints). Everybody's doing the same thing and we're not like, 'Well, you can't do this because that's not culturally appropriate or religiously appropriate.' If you want to participate, you are welcome to."
"Buddhism is more of a lifestyle," he continued. "What Buddhist believe in is that you're just part of a greater good. It's hard to judge when the main theme is compassion."
