Instructions: Midsummer is Obon festival time for Japanese-Americans, a celebration honoring sushi, teriyaki chicken and udon noodles.

Well, not really. But the annual festival is so tied now to food that before I understood its significance, I associated it with good things to eat.

Obon is a Buddhist holiday, born from a legend about, ironically, hunger.

Its the second-most-important holiday in Japan after New Years Day, a time to reflect on and appreciate our ancestors for their sacrifices and hard work that benefited their children.

The story goes back two millenniums to the days of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. One of his disciples, Mogallana, had a horrible vision of his late mother, emaciated in the realm of hungry demons. Any food or drink she touched burst into flames.

She had been condemned to suffer as punishment for her greed and desire while on Earth. Although she had been a loving mother, providing for her child had come at the expense of others.

When the desperate Mogallana sought help, the Buddha advised him to make an offering to his fellow monks, and conduct a service to express their gratitude to his mother and parents of seven past generations. In this way, Mogallana alleviated the suffering of his mother and all other parents.

It is said that the happy and thankful monks then danced for joy - the origin of Bon odori (Obon dancing).

Traditionally, Obon (pronounced oh-bohn) is the 15 th day of the seventh lunar month. In the United States, Obon has evolved into a series of festivals at Buddhist temples. As the major fundraising source for Japanese-American Jodo-Shinshu sect Buddhist temples, Obon bazaars feature Japanese dancing, ikebana and bonsai displays, martial arts and other cultural demonstrations, lectures, game booths, flower sales and, of course, food.

In Japan, people travel to ancestral homes, visit the cemetery and relax with family. Here, people travel to other temples dining halls, and reconnect with family and childhood friends over plates of beef teriyaki, chirashizushi (sushi

In a sort of salad form), manju (bean cakes), and hamburgers and hot dogs, too.

To minimize competition, the festivals are held on different weekends.

Teenagers, foodies and other bazaar-hoppers know that the second weekend in July belongs to the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin (last weeks festival marked the San Jose churchs 100 th anniversary), and the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church in Union City; the third weekend is for Mountain View; and the first weekend in August is Palo Altos.
In the days before Japanese food went mainstream and restaurants proliferated, this was important to remember if you needed a fix of makizushi.

Sadly, with an aging membership and the challenges of feeding several thousand people, many temples have scaled back their food booths or changed the menu.

Now that we can buy outlandish sushi combos in the grocery deli section, Obon festivals of the future may be able to get by with, say, Buffalo chicken wings and corn dogs.

After all, one child I know says the best thing about the Obon bazaar is the French fries.

In the neighborhood, the smoky smell of teriyaki barbecue will lead you to an Obon bazaar. Some cooks, like Southern barbecue chefs, guard their recipes like a top secret, but good teriyaki is not hard to make. And no festival is complete without sweets. Many temples sell bean cakes, make with a sweet bread-like dough. Mochi, made with rice flour, doesnt keep well or pack easily, because of the stickiness. But its a kids favorite.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.