This is what we mean when we say joy is resistance
“When Japanese Americans were sent to the Manzanar incarceration camp, they were forced to leave behind much of their culture. However, incarcerees worked to preserve their traditions even within the confines of the barbed wire.
Obon is an end-of-summer festival that honors those who have passed. The Manzanar Buddhist Church and the Manzanar Obon Committee organized their own Obon every year from 1942 to 1945. By 1943, it had evolved to an enormous celebration with over 1,500 bon odori dancers and musical accompaniment by taiko drummers. Although most incarcerees had to leave their traditional garments behind, many crafted their own kimonos in camp, creating beautiful traditional wear for community dancing.
The 1943 festival also opened with an interfaith dedication of the monolith at the cemetery—a concrete obelisk inscribed with the words “soul consoling tower" in Japanese. Built to honor those who had died in camp, the tower provided a sense of solace and remembrance.
As we near the end of #ObonSeason this August, Japanese Americans continue to honor their ancestors just as those at Manzanar did over 80 years ago, and pay tribute to their spirit and resilience through such stark injustice.”
[Photos courtesy of the Shinjo Nagatomi Collection, National Park Service]
The Obon festival celebrated at Manzanar during World War II stands as a profound example of cultural strength and collective joy amidst adversity. Despite the harsh conditions of incarceration, Japanese Americans at Manzanar demonstrated that joy could serve as a form of resistance against oppression. Obon, a traditional Japanese festival, honors ancestors who have passed away, bringing communities together through dance, music, and remembrance. At Manzanar, the annual Obon festival not only preserved cultural heritage but also nurtured hope and solidarity. More than 1,500 bon odori dancers performed in 1943, accompanied by taiko drumming, showcasing vibrant traditions that transcended barbed wire boundaries. Remarkably, many incarcerees crafted their own kimonos within the camp, asserting their identity through artful clothing even when traditional garments were confiscated. This act of creating and wearing kimonos was a subtle yet powerful defiance that reinforced their cultural roots. The erection of the “soul consoling tower,” an obelisk dedicated to those who died in camp, served as a spiritual center during the festival. This monument symbolized collective mourning and resilience, offering comfort and acknowledgment of shared hardships. Today, Japanese Americans continue to honor Obon season with reverence and joy, connecting to their ancestors and heritage in ways shaped by history but looking toward a hopeful future. This enduring tradition reminds us that joy, especially when intertwined with cultural expression and remembrance, can be a potent form of resistance against injustice and erasure.