A Japanese Tradition From India

Obon is a very special time of year with modern celebrations held along with the traditional rituals. This festival gives us some insight into Japan’s Buddhist roots as well as into the unique ways each part of the country celebrates the holiday and carries out its fun-filled summer festivals. Traditionally Obon was celebrated around July 15 (and still is in some areas), but because of the adoption of the Gregorian calendar a lot of traditional holidays were offset by being held one month later (or earlier). However, for most of Japan Obon is held from roughly August 13th to 16th every year. Though not a public holiday, it is general custom for workers and students to get this time off to travel back to the gravesites of their ancestors in their villages of origin to tidy up and perform the proper ceremonies. The following is a description from Matcha.com Matcha.com about the typical Obon observances.

Obon-Iri

The beginning of the celebrations is called “Obon-iri”. This is when the families of the deceased prepare to welcome their ancestors, decorating the altar in their home and making offerings.

Outside the house, the so called “mukaebi” *(welcoming fire) is lit. This fire is believed to have to role to invite the spirits to their old homes. The graves of the deceased are visited and cleaned during this time, and some families light their mukaebi or lantern at the grave itself.

Obon – Day 1

A memorial service is held for the ancestors or a Buddhist Obon ceremony is held if it is the first Obon for a deceased family member.

Obon-Ake or Okuribon (Day 2)

The okuribi (“sending off” fire) is lit, guiding the spirits back to their resting place. Lanterns are often placed on a nearby river to represent the spirits’ return to the other world.

References

In English

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

https://matcha-jp.com/en/4742

In Japanese

https://butudan-ec.minrevi.jp/knowledge/about-obon/

https://obousan.minrevi.jp/obon-yurai/

Photo thanks to 白石准 @ PhotoZou.com.

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