Kizoku Ishiki
Vashon Cemetery - 19631 Singer Rd. SW
Saturday August 9
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Free

Join us for a “Kizoku Ishiki” Obon celebration at the Vashon Cemetery Saturday August 9th from 12pm-5pm. Kizoku Ishiki means a deep sense of belonging. This fun, educational, and restorative cultural event will include dance, art displays, walking tours, picnicking, performances and more. The intent of the event is to honor and learn about our Asian immigrant ancestors along with recognizing our Black, Indigenous, and immigrant ancestors buried at the Vashon Cemetery.

The Vashon celebration will include special performances, including traditional Japanese music by Minyo members and Koto no Wa; poetry by author, lawyer and activist Troy Osaki, classical harp by Vanessa Stovall and dani tirrells’ Congregation with dance excerpts from Elysium (afterlife). Members from The Vashon Heritage Museum and Mukai Farm and Garden will be located throughout the grounds to share information about families buried at the cemetery. There will be guided walking tours highlighting the cemetery trees, including the recently planted cherry tree from the Vashon Island Fruit Club’s “100 Cherry Trees Project”. In addition, there will be cultural crafts and a Friendship Bench with the Aunties.

August 9th is the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The Vashon Obon will commemorate this terrible event by offering a special peace procession of costumed dancers in a “siege of herons” during the Obon celebration. Local artist, Chantal Uto designed costumes which were commissioned by the Wild Wood Foundation.