Obon Dancing in America: Reverend Yoshio Iwanaga Photo Album

Japan, 1920s

Yoshio Iwanaga was born in the village of Miyauchi within the Kamimashiki district of Kumamoto prefecture on 29 April 1900. He attended the local grammar school and studied Spanish at the Tokyo Trade Language School. After an illness and a brief conversion to Christianity, he returned to his familial religion of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and received the tokudo (initial ordination as a Buddhist minister) through the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto. During this time, he developed a pedagogical program for elementary school children and female factory workers comprised of Buddhist lectures and instruction in Japanese music and dance.

Yoshio Iwanaga with kindergarten class, Kumamoto Prefectures, 1920s<br />

Iwanaga (far right) with Nishiki Kindergarten students before a radio broadcast, Kumamoto, 1920s.

Yoshio Iwanaga’s Japanese students posing for performance of “Dochu Sugoroku” 1920s<br />

Iwanaga’s kindergarten students in a pose from Dochu Sugoroku (“Traveler’s Game”), Kumamoto, 1920s.

Iwanaga’s kindergarten students in a pose from Shita-kiri Suzume (“Tongue-Cut Sparrow”), Kumamoto, 1920s

Iwanaga’s kindergarten students in a pose from Shita-kiri Suzume (“Tongue-Cut Sparrow”), Kumamoto, 1920s.

Female factory workers who were instructed in Buddhism and Japanese music and dance, Kyoto, late 1920s

Female factory workers who were instructed in Buddhism and Japanese music and dance, Kyoto, late 1920s.

Teaching doyo buyo, Japan, late 1920s

Teaching doyo buyo, Japan, late 1920s.

Ordination of Yoshio Iwanaga, Tokudo Level, 1927<br />

Iwanaga’s ordination to the tokudo level at the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, 1927.

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