Beginning of the 7 Days of the Spring Equinox

By the Japanese calendar March 18th begins the 7 day period when people traditionally would go back to take care of the graves of their ancestors. They should wash the grave stones with water first, then give offerings of flowers and two batamochi (ばたもち) and incense waved in the air by hand. Afterwards they poor water over the tall grave stone with the names of the departed written on it with a ladle and pray for them. The old things from the grave site the year before are taken to a special place in the graveyard or grounds of the Buddhist temple and burnt. The offerings of food are taken home and eaten.

References

In English

https://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/eng/practice/event/spring/equinox_ceremony.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higan

In Japanese

https://hotokami.jp/articles/141/

https://www.e-sogi.com/guide/2175/

Photo thanks to さちどん(お疲れハニワ) @ PhotoZou.jp.

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