Obon or Bon Festival

Takahata Fudoson Temple

Takahata Fudoson Temple

Yesterday, prior to going to English lessons we stopped by the Takahata Fudoson Temple. This is the temple for my host mother's family. The temple has a graveyard beyond the large public area. My host mother met her sister and niece at the temple and left flowers and an offering on the grave. It is currently Bon or Bono Festival in Japan.

Japanese graves

This festival is celebrated in July or August depending which calendar the family follows. In Japan Obon is one of the most important Japanese traditions and many companies provide their employees with time off to allow them to travel home and celebrate with their extended families.

Family alter

Obon Festival is a Buddhist tradition. According to them, the souls of people's ancestors return back to their homes and reunite with their families for a short period of time. During this time, homes are generally cleaned and a variety of food offerings such as vegetables and fruits are provided at the spirits of the ancestor's at the Buddhist alter. Most families have a small altar in their home. At my host mother's bother's home yesterday there were many items left at the alter including oranges, melon, Japanese pastries and cucumbers made to look like horses. Since her brother is the eldest child, he is the heir to the family and items are left to their parents at his home and alter.

On the first day of Obon, paper lanterns are often light outside homes and people travel to their family's grave at the temple to call their relatives spirits back. It is call mukai-bon. Depending on region in Japan, you might see small fires being lite and burning at the entrance to the home. This is called mukei-bi and is done to guide the spirits to the home. One the last day of the festival, spirits are led back to the grave by hanging paper lanterns with the family crest painted on them to guide them back. This is called okuri-bon.

Paper lanterns

During Obon, the smell of of incense (senko) can be very strong as it is being burnt in homes and at the cemeteries. The floating of paper lanterns (toro nagashi) can also be seen during this festival. People send off their ancestor's spirits with the lanterns. The lanterns have a candle inside and are floated down the river to the ocean. Many traditions during Obon Festival can variety from region to region with some regions have a special style of dance.