Centuries past came right up to the present Saturday night in the San Fernando Valley, where the area’s largest Obon festival cascaded with smiles, colors, tradition, drumming, dancing….

People use chop sticks to enjoy Japanese food during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

All kinds of Japanese dolls on display during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

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Fresh beef teriyaki served up during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

Japanese small tree trimmers show how it’s done during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

All kinds of Japanese dolls were on display during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)



All kinds of Japanese dolls on display during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

Fresh beef teriyaki served up during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

Kids making bubbles during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

Japanese small tree trimmers show how it’s done during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

People dress in Japanese Kimono Robes during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)



Fresh wontons are served up during the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s OBON Festival Saturday and Sunday at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)

We could go on and on. But the bottom line is, the San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon Festival in Pacoima was the place where the area’s Japanese community shared the festive Japanese Buddhist custom — also known as “gathering of joy” — with all who wanted to experience it.

It’s tradition, after all, born centuries ago to remember and honor deceased loved ones. On Saturday night, the festival was a celebration featuring ethnic foods, games cultural exhibits and displays of Japanese history. And then there was the dancing and the Taiko drumming, staples of the event that seek to pay homage to ancestors and to express the the joy of living.

On a warm Saturday night at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center it all came together.