Obon: Japan’s Summer Festival for Honoring Ancestors
The summer festival of Obon ranks alongside New Year in its importance in the Japanese calendar. It is a time when families get together to honor ancestors and visit their graves, and it is also known for the lively dancing of the bon odori.
Japan's Obon traditions stem from the belief that during this time, the spirits of the deceased return to their homes to be honored by their families and then guided back to the afterlife. The festivities commence on August 13 with welcoming fires (mukaebi) at the thresholds of houses or cemeteries, and conclude on August 16 with farewell fires (okuribi) to escort the spirits back. A notable regional custom is the Gozan Okuribi, featuring bonfires on five mountains near Kyoto on August 16.
Throughout Obon, families honor their ancestors by placing fruit and seasonal offerings on family Buddhist altars and visiting graves together. Distinctive Obon decorations involve crafting spirit animals from cucumbers and eggplants, symbolizing the swift return of ancestors' spirits and their gradual journey back to the afterlife, laden with family offerings.
The term Obon likely originates from Urabon'e, a Sanskrit word that may mean "the suffering of being hung upside down." This name derives from the tale of one of Buddha's disciples, Mokuren, who, in an attempt to save his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts, performed offerings to many monks. His mother was freed from her suffering through the merit gained from these acts, which became the foundation of Urabon'e, evolving into Japan's modern Obon customs.
Buddhist temples in Japan hold memorial services and chant sutras during the Obon season, while many individuals visit their local temples to pay homage to their ancestors. In some regions, Obon takes place around July 15, based on the former lunar calendar, although most observe it around August 15, aligning with the traditionally observed period.
Moreover, Obon customs vary across Buddhist sects. Bon odori, or Bon dances, are integral to the season, originally ritual dances performed to comfort deceased spirits. Today, these lively community events, involving participants of all ages, have become a quintessential summer festival. Notable Bon dances, such as the Gujō Odori in Gifu Prefecture, the Awa Odori in Tokushima Prefecture, and the Nishimonai Bon Odori in Akita Prefecture, showcase regional variations in music and choreography, often attracting international participants.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
