Rainbow Sash

Description:

This rainbow sash, purchased from Cliff’s Variety Store in the historically LGBTQ Castro district of San Francisco, was donated by Rev. Ronald Kobata of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco (BCSF). This is related to the clerical stole (okesa) in the same collection – Rev. Kobata wore the okesa in support of the LGBTQ community and a member of the church sewed BCSF patches onto sashes like this one. Prior to his residency in San Francisco beginning in 2009, Rev. Kobata served as a “temple minister” in the White River Buddhist Temple in Washington and Hawaii Betsuin, Kahului Hongwanji, and Makawao Hongwanji, all in Hawaii. In addition to his participation in the Japanese American Religious Federation, Japanese Community Youth Council, and San Francisco Interfaith Council, he also works with the LGBTQ community. (See record 2016.0158.01 for more detail on the Buddhist Church of San Francisco.)