"Toro Nagashi" To Be Celebrated At Fresno's Woodward Park

Toro Nagashi is an ancient Buddhist ceremony which dates to the 7th century and is traditionally associated with the Obon season in Japan. In Fresno, the community will celebrate the event with a special event in Woodward Park near the Shinzen Japanese Garden on Saturday August 8th. At dusk hundreds of lighted paper lanterns will be released onto the lake, representing the spirits of loved ones. With spoke with Tina Wyneken of the Shinzen Friendship Garden Board about the festival, and the upcoming changes in store for the garden with the planned opening of a new bonsai exhibit this fall.