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BonFest 2026
Aug 15 (Sat) 7:30 – 9:00 PM
North Park Village Nature Center

5801 North Pulaski Road

Chicago, IL 60646

Register

Any questions regarding any of the workshops
please contact

Yoshinojo Fujima

Yoshinojo7@airmw.org

Bon Odori – Japanese Folk Dance Workshop
Japanese Culture Center (JCC)
Aug 14 (Fri) 7:00-8:30pm

2940 N Lincoln Ave #2

(2nd floor stair access only)

Register
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Bon Odori is a type of Japanese folk (Minyo) dance made for people to come together to honor their ancestors, express their joy, respect, and feeling of community; to feel a connection with their ancestors and with everyone. The dances are simple and fun, and are typically performed during the Obon festival which occurs in mid to late summer. There are many dances which draw upon the different regions of Japan, and depict the area’s history and specialization. Shubukai has collaborated with Kimiei Fujima Sensei from Shizuoka and Ageha Bijou Sensei from the Nihon Bon Odori Association, based in Tokyo.

The patterned movements are repetitive and each lesson will introduce some of the dances on the roster for BonFest. For the lessons, please make sure to wear comfortable clothing; Yukata is not required, however no bare feet, please wear tabi or clean socks and shoes. Some lessons could take place outside, weather permitting. Please bring your own water to keep hydrated.

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Origin of Shubukai

In Chicago, the art of Japanese Classical dance was catalyzed by the presence of the Wakayagi Shiyu Kai starting in 1962. The presence of such a strong Japanese cultural icon in the Japanese American community provided a receptive and supportive environment for Fujima Shunojo to continue the cultural legacy in the Midwest when he began his school in Chicago in 1976. Read More

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Dear Shubukai Supporters and Friends,

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to continue to present and share Fujima style Classical Japanese Dance as Fujima Sensei did.

Upcoming Events

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Events Calendar
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46th Annual Performance

Shubukai has presented and taught Fujima style Japanese classical dance in Chicago for the past 49 years. We are happy to announce as part of the concerted efforts of everyone in
Asian Improv aRts Midwest, the organization has facilitated the purchase of a new building. The AIRMW building will be dedicated to continuing the legacy, training, and to proudly present traditional Japanese arts. To this end, a traditional nihon buyo stage has been built and we are training hard to continue the legacy.

Shubukai has presented and taught Fujima style Japanese classical dance in Chicago for the past 45 years. We are happy to announce as part of the concerted efforts of everyone in Asian Improv aRts Midwest, the organization has facilitated the purchase of a new building. The AIRMW building will be dedicated to continuing the legacy, training, and to proudly present traditional Japanese arts. To this end, one goal is to build a stage built for Shubukai that is made for Japanese Classical dance.

Your generosity is essential for Shubukai. We continuously strive to sustain our cultural aesthetics by keeping our connections with Japan and presenting in both traditional and contemporary formats as we work to secure a place in the art/dance scene in Chicago representing our Japanese heritage. We would be honored to receive your support

Donate

Shubukai has presented and taught Fujima style Japanese classical dance in Chicago for the past 45 years. We are happy to announce as part of the concerted efforts of everyone in
Asian Improv aRts Midwest, the organization has facilitated the purchase of a new building. The AIRMW building will be dedicated to continuing the legacy, training, and to proudly present traditional Japanese arts. To this end, one goal is to build a stage built for Shubukai that is made for Japanese Classical dance.

Donate

Your generosity is essential for Shubukai to achieve these goals. We need your help to raise $15,000 to present the 46th Annual Performance and to build the new Shubukai Stage. We continuously strive to sustain our cultural aesthetics by keeping our connections with Japan and presenting in both traditional and contemporary formats as we work to secure a place in the art/dance scene in Chicago representing our Japanese heritage.

We would be honored to receive your support