"Obon" Festival in Bryant Park.

Sunday July 10th, I went to Bryant Park to join the "Obon Dance Festival"
"Obon" originated in the 6th century B.C. from the legend of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Throughout Japan "Obon" is a Summer Buddhist Holiday which honors the memory of those who passed away. 
As I can remember from my childhood, "Obon" always started with going to visit the family cemetery. Bringing the candles & incense & flowers to the family tombstones. The family lot was cleaned first, new flowers were placed in the vases, then incenses were lit and we would pray.  From the burning incenses we take the flame to light a new candle.  We would bring home that burning candle in a Paper Lantern as a symbol of our ancestors' spirits.  I was always too nervous to carry that lantern home, because if you lose the flame on the way, you had to go back to cemetery to start over. 
During few days of "Obon" candles were staying lit from that flame in your home. 
I remember my grand-mother made some special foods in those hot summer days to welcome the spirits of our ancestors.
And there was "Bon Odori"  Bon is short cut for Obon, Odori means dance. People gathered at the biggest park in town every evening, dancing to traditional Japanese folk music for "Obon".  Everybody was wearing "Yukata" and joined the dancing crowd or watched people dancing. There were more attractions along the way to the "Bon Odori" 
I remembered I used to go there with my sister and mother, I tried to persuade them to buy me cotton candy or shaved ice. Sometimes I got gold fish by scooping them up with a little rice-paper spoon. You can get as many gold fish you can till your paper spoon gets distorted by the water in the shallow fish-catching game spot. That was the most popular game at the "Obon Festival" 
Of course I was wearing "Yukata" and "Geta" (wooden flip-flap) which makes that sound. To me those sounds from "Geta" and "Furin" (wind charm) are memories of summers of my childhood in Japan.

I discovered "Obon Festival in New York" organized by New York Buddhist Church a few years ago through my friends. 
This year's festival is the 62nd annual festival. I guess Buddhism has settled here a long time.....
It is little bit strange to go to "Bon Odori" in daylight. As I said, it was always an evening part of festival to me through the years in Japan.
Nevertheless this event brings me back so many memories of my childhood. 
As you can see in photos I took that afternoon, many people not only Japanese were wearing "Yukata"  Cotton Kimono which is designed to wear casually for the Hot Summer Days and Nights.
Traditionally you would stick "Uchiwa", a fan made from bamboo and paper, between "Yukata" and tied "Obi"  So when you need to cool off, it is easy you to reach it. When you started to dance again you would stick it back, so that your hands will be free for the dancing. And I must say "Uchiwa" makes perfect accessory for your "Yukata" in the summer.
Of course I found some people were doing exactly that in Bryant Park among the Bon Odori Dancers in the middle of New York City.

Two sisters having same design "UCHIWA' in the back.

Young Girl is not old enough to have OBI yet !

Chinese Character "MATSURI" means "Festival"

I know what she wants to have after dancing...

Red Blue and White, something tells me she is not Japanese.

Nice Color Coordination !

Iris is the her choice of flowers for that day.

Black & Gray and touch of Yellow, perfect ensemble.

I have a feeling that this is an antique "Uchiwa".

"Red Mt. Fuji"  this one was the best "Uchiwa"of the day.

Pattern Pattern and more Pattern !

Same design "Uchiwa" in two different Colors.

Lilac, Pink, Sky Blue, and Yellow & White.

Another great ensemble of the day. 

Of course "Uchiwa" makes the outfit...

Mother & Daughter.

Mother's Obi is very Special !

This was the chicest men's ensemble of the day.

You can see the foot-wear as well.

Navy & Gold.

Men can handle metallic as well.

Perfect back view to end this blog Post.

"Menu for the Picnic"

After I posted the last blog, some of my readers asked what we had that afternoon on the island. I guess I have to blog about "Menu for the Picnic"
As I mentioned, our friend Louie cooked fantastic "Fried Chicken" and "Cornmeal Rosemary Lemon Cake"  He kept the menu for 3rd time by our requests.
He almost always asks me to make some vegetable side dishes. It was easy for me to come up with some vegetable dishes to accompany "Fried Chicken"  Even though the dishes would be determined by what I could find at the Farmers' Market on Saturday Morning. 
The other couples who joined us at the party each showed up with "Picnic Food"
M & D made Penne-Putanesca and very sweet bite-sized pineapples, 
Y & B showed up with tons of Fresh Fruit, include my very first Sweet Cherries of the season. There is no such thing as "Too Much Fruit for the Picnic"
Let me put it this way, once we put the food on the blanket, we could find things to munch all afternoon. And I must say, we had the best spread at the party. 
As Jonathan puts it, we ate ourselves silly all day long.... 

One thing I didn't like about making vegetable dishes was, I had to do slicing and dressing in the morning of the day. I couldn't prepare them the day before. 
It is better to keep vegetables in the fridge until you're ready to start chopping & slicing. You just can't keep vegetable on the kitchen counter in summertime. 
And if you want to taste the freshness of vegetables, you have to make traveling time short as possible in the ice box. I also sprinkled juice of Lemons or Limes on vegetables much as I can for the hot weather. Then I packed them as pretty as I could make them.  
When I'm having picnic in the hot summer days I try to make vegetable dishes colorful and appetizing. Otherwise people at the picnic will not touch foods. They would rather have cold drinks than veggies for sure.  So,I had to make sure my vegetable side dishes will be looked good enough to reach at the picnic.
After all, you don't want to taking foods back home after the party !
Many friends always tell me that I make dishes pretty. That is the first thing they tell me about my dishes when I have friends over for meals.
My motto is "Make the Plates Pretty !"  That will make people want to find out how they taste. That is my trick for cooking. 
That is how I make people want to try my dishes.
That is my way of serving foods for any occasions. 
Making Picnic Food is nothing less. Maybe more, since you have no control over for the surroundings.


A few weeks ago when I was visiting "Future Perfect", one of my favorite shops in New York I found Paper Plates& Cups, and individually packed Utensil-Sets. 
So, I had to have them for that Saturday afternoon. 
Paper Plates & Cups happen to coming from Japan. They are made from sugarcane fiber, molded to have gracious organic curves for easy handling. 
Wooden Fork & Spoon & Knife Sets are sewn into a brown paper envelope, even came with a cotton square as a napkin.
For great picnic foods, I thought I should have special servings not ordinary plastic ones. Somehow having foods with those Plates, Folks & Spoons made them taste even better. 

"Crudite" were companied by "Cannellini Bean Dip"

My "Japanese Turnip Quick Pickle" is always a hit at any party.

"Ribbon Salad" was made with Yellow & Green Baby Squashes and Radishes.

Blanched Green Beans & Pepers were simply dressed with Pesto.

I don't know how he does, but Louie's Fried Chicken is always So Juicy !

Putanesca Sauce is one of my repertoire as well.

It is good as hot pasta sauces, but it works for Cold Pasta.

D told me that he omitted "Anchovy" for the hot weather.

Fresh Lichees are so much better than from cans.

It goes very well with Ice Cold Green Tea. 

The Basket for Fried Chicken became serving table for First course of Desserts.

Fresh Fruits are the best things for picnic.

"Cornmeal Rosemary Lemon Cake" 

Is this the reason we are keep going to that Party ?

Since I don't bake, I never asked him to give me the recipe. 

But I wonder if he will, if I ask ?

It is light and very refreshing specially in the Summer. 

This maybe my favorite cake after "Lady M"s Crepe Cake....

"The Jazz Age Lawn Party"

A day before "Gay Pride Day" we went to the Governor's Island to join "The Jazz Age Lawn Party". That was our third time to go to that event. 
This party is getting bigger each year.
Last year it was in August, I still remember that was a very hot day to be outdoors especially in costume. But we saw many Antique Dresses and Seersucker Suits. Since the event was returned to the original month we thought it was easier for us to dress up in 20's Costumes to go to the Island. I even found people with Antique Dresses in the subway to get to the Ferry Building.
"Governor's Island" used to be closed to the public, but now we can visit in summer months. The city runs a free ferry to get there from Manhattan. It is a very short trip, it takes about 5 minutes to reach there from the pier which located to next to South Ferry Terminal. We met more than a few friends in the ferry and walked to the Lawn where party was held.
You were getting 1920s' Mood on that breezy walk. You could still see Lower Manhattan's Skyline over the East River, Statue of Liberty was almost reachable from that island.
More than one events were happening on that day on that island, but we could spot who is going to "Jazz Age Lawn Party" even on the Ferry, They were dressed up, some wore Antique Clothes and some were simply in Summer Dresses and Suits. And many of them were carrying Picnic Baskets. 
I do love picnic,what is better than having lunch on the grass where shade made by Old Trees, listening to live music and watching people dance to that.....
I may keep returning to this event mainly for the picnic, specially our friend Louis keep making "Fried Chicken and Cornmeal Rosemary Lemon Cake"
Here are some of people who impressed me on the Lawn that afternoon.

 People in Costumes Were Gathering at The Party.

Some were coming with the whole family.

Many people were coming with Lunch and Cold Drinks for the afternoon.

Fringe Dress was the perfect choice for the Jazz Age.

Wasn't she COOL ?

This crochet tunic which she wore as a dress was from her grandmother.

And he was wearing antique swim wear.

On The Dance Floor.

The Band was ready to play the Music !

At the beginning of the party, you could learn to "Charleston"

Each year professional dancers were teaching how to dance.

As the day progressed, 

Advanced Dancers were showing their skills on the dance floor !

On The Lawn.

Some were simply walking the Lawn 

to see what else was happening in the Island.

More than a few Antique Cars were there.

Of course you have to take a photos with them...

"Parasol & Fun" were essential for this event.

Linen Suite and Fantastic Top Hat.

Girls having Fun !

Long Pearl Necklace was the choice of the accessories for the day...

You just can't put-down the cell-pone, how petty !

I saw more formal Men's Wear this year.

Time to Leave The Party.

What a perfect family !

Hope you can see the mother's silk stockings.

The Perfect Shot, If I do say so!

I imagine she was listening to Jazz.

This was where that day started and ended.