Honolulu had it’s annual lantern floating festival this past Memorial Day. I usually try to avoid Ala Moana Beach Park because of the crowds, especially during this event, but I was somehow duped into coming by friends. By the time the sun had set it was literally a back to back, ass to ass mass. Honestly, the ceremony was a bit too ridiculous and drawn out. Usually monotone Buddhist chants were set to western chord progressions and the taiko drum routine sounded like a rock and roll concert. It was a shining example of the western appropriation of Japanese culture in order to appeal to clueless tourists as well as locals. I would have preferred the original tÅrÅ nagashi and not this sloppy imitation.
Many Rivers, One Ocean
Honolulu had it’s annual lantern floating festival this past Memorial Day. I usually try to avoid Ala Moana Beach Park because of the crowds, especially during this event, but I was somehow duped into coming by friends. By the time the sun had set it was literally a back to back, ass to ass mass. Honestly, the ceremony was a bit too ridiculous and drawn out. Usually monotone Buddhist chants were set to western chord progressions and the taiko drum routine sounded like a rock and roll concert. It was a shining example of the western appropriation of Japanese culture in order to appeal to clueless tourists as well as locals. I would have preferred the original tÅrÅ nagashi and not this sloppy imitation.