Buddhist Thoughts is the SLC Buddhist Temple newsletter which is mailed to Temple members each month. Here we provide excerpts from archival Buddhist Thoughts.

2003 July/August

Traditions: Spam Musubi to Obon Dances
by J.K. Hirano

Men of today should seek to learn of old things, And old people should teach of old things. Spoken words get lost. Written things do not.

-- #45 Goichidaiki kikigaki

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "tradition" as: the handing down of beliefs and customs by word of mouth or example without written instruction; also: a belief or custom thus handed down. In many ways, this would describe many of the customs that Japanese Americans have followed within our families and communities. As I mentioned last month, the members of my generation would like to follow many of these traditions in raising our own families, however, many of these unwritten customs are being lost. With the passing of the Nisei's generation and the mix of American and Japanese cultural traditions, I wonder what will be held onto and what will be lost or destroyed in the mix.

Within the past few years, I have noticed an increase among individuals and organizations searching out aspects of our Japanese American traditions. Taiko is a Japanese tradition that seems to have firmly taken root within our Japanese American communities. Regardless of what some people may claim is the beginnings of taiko within the United States. I would doubt that many can argue the huge contributions of our B.C.A. temples in creating this tradition. Senshin Buddhist Temple and the Kinnara group have been true pioneers in developing this art form. The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin was the beginning of the San Jose Taiko group, one of the larger professional Taiko organizations. Here in Utah, the Ogden Buddhist temple taiko group has been going for over twenty years and continues to thrive at the Ogden Buddhist temple. Yet for this art form to thrive and continue, the members of these communities have looked to the basics of this art form in Japan. Many of the new Taiko instructors and leaders have studied in Japan and learned about Taiko's history and tradition there. Once these basics have been understood, new methods and techniques have been developed that fit in with our American culture.

The other day, the JACL used our temple facilities for a miso cooking workshop. Although I didn't attend the cooking class, I was allowed to sample the product. One of the first foods I tasted was a soup they made. I love miso shiru. Whether it is made from white, red or mixed miso, it is one of my favorite foods. It is usually made with a soup stock of bonito flakes. What is added to it can vary, from clams, to just tofu and green onions. This cooking class had made their miso soup with milk. It was a taste and texture that I didn't really care for. Although the base and foundation for this soup was miso, milk did not seem to be a fitting addition. Cultural invention can be successful, however, this has shown me how it doesn't always work.<

However, one of the favorites at our various fund raisers that is a successful meld of traditional Japanese and American foods is spam musubi. I have often been surprised how popular this strange amalgam of nori, rice and processed meat have become. I think of it as a Japanese American comfort food. I would think that many Nisei were raised in families of very modest incomes. Dinners were large quantities of rice, with a spare helping of the main dish. I remember my mother telling me that I shouldn't just eat the main dish, whatever it may have been. Although we also had enough of the main dish that I could have just eaten that, she explained that I should also eat the rice with it. It was uncivilized or greedy to just eat the meat. That 's why it has been so hard to cut back to one bowl of rice at dinner (low carb and glucose). I'm sure many Niseis were told the same thing and the main dish could have been, fried bologna, teriyaki hot dogs or fried spam. From these dinners of necessity of cheap meat products and rice. Our palates came to feel comfortable with this type of food. Although at present I believe there are very few Japanese American families that could not have their choice of meat for dinner, spam musubi is a favorite of many. I just hope that when we enjoy this Japanese American creation, we can remember a little bit about the times when fried spam and bologna were necessary in our diets and not just a treat.

In a similar manner, it is wonderful how our Obon dance has become so popular. I'm amazed when I see the hundreds of dancers during Obon. Our practices often fill the gym to capacity. Maxine Furubayashi is to be truly appreciated by our temple for all she has done in this regard. She has helped out or led our Obon dancing for over fifty years. It is interesting to hear some of our younger members complain after leading an event for two or three years. I have never heard Maxine ever complain about her Obon commitment. Maxine learned the basics of odori from Japanese instructors in Los Angeles, when she was a little girl. Over the years she has developed the style of Bon dori we are accustomed to here in Salt Lake. Through the basics of dance learned from Japan and transferred to the United States. While always keeping in mind our reason for Obon, which is recognizing our karmic conditions to our past surrounded by Amida Buddha's compassion, the Obon festival has been and hopefully will continue to be a dynamic tradtion here in Salt Lake.

Within this month's news letter I have included an envelope with a survey concerning Japanese American assimilation and acculturation. Dr. Haruo Higashimoto is a professor of Kyoto Women's University. Kyoto Women's University is the women's college for Nishi Honganji, our Mother Temple. Ten years ago, Dr. Higashimoto had conducted a similar study with the help of our temple. He is currently a adjunct research professor at BYU. This means that BYU is providing him with office space and a staff to conduct his study. He is hoping that you will help him with this follow up study. I feel that this is an important aspect of our culture that is worthy of study. I hope that you will take the time to fill out the survey and return it to him.

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