Obon Dancing in America: Reverend Yoshio Iwanaga Photo Album

Pacific Northwest and California, 1933-34

Iwanaga returned to the United States in October 1933 and taught dance in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. He made an additional seven-month trip to Japan starting in September 1934 before taking up residence in Stockton.

Doyo Buyo class with Yoshio Iwanaga and pianist, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1933

Iwanaga (front row) and doyo buyo students in Vancouver, British Columbia, 7 October 1933.

Advanced doyo buyo class with Reverend Iwanaga and pianist, Vancouver, British Columbia, October 8, 1933

Iwanaga (front row) and advanced doyo buyo students in Vancouver, British Columbia, 8 October 1933.

Solo dancer for the classical dance Yanagi no Ame (“Willow in the Rain”) at the doyo buyo recital in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1933.

Iwanaga and doyo buyo students at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 31 March 1934

Iwanaga (fifth row from the bottom, on the left) and doyo buyo students at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 31 March 1934.

Adults from Kumamoto prefecture performing at the doyo buyo recital in the Holland Delta Area, California, 29 July 1934.

Bon odori practice in Tacoma, Washington, 1934.

Bon odori in Tacoma, Washington, 1934.