Obon (ãŠç›†) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon Odori.
The Obon celebration is one of the most important customs for the Japanese. Also known as Bon, this season is used to celebrate the spirits of a person's ancestors. A custom introduced by the Buddhists to the Japanese, it is a holiday that brings the family together and reunites them with the dead.
When is Obon? Even though Obon is a traditional festival and not an official holiday in Japan, many offices will be closed (around 60% of businesses close) and travelling on roads and public transport may be busier than normal as many people take a vacation during this period and return to their family homes.
Showa is the name of an era in Japan. Showa Day was established as a day to reflect back on that time period. In 2021, Showa Day is on Thursday, April 29. April 30 and May 1 are not public holidays, but many people will likely take the day off to get an 8-day Golden Week vacation.
During Obon, there are traditionally lanterns that are hung in front of houses, dances that are performed, and offerings(ozen) that are put out in front of altars, temples, and sometimes grave sites. Many people will also visit grave sites to clean and wash grave stones and grave markers of their family.
Obon is a summer celebration in Japan for welcoming back ancestors' spirits and returning to one's family roots. It is a yearly Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. During Obon, it is believed that the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.
Obon is a unique Japanese custom to welcome the spirits of ancestors and holding a memorial service. Obon is referred as “Kyu-Bon†in Okinawa and celebrated for three days according to the lunar calendar from 13-15th of July Source: The Ryukyu Shimpo.
Obon Festival History and Guide | Sugimoto Tea Company, Japanese Green Tea Maker Since 1946.
The Buddha instructed his disciple to make offerings on the 15th day of the 7th month to Buddhist monks returning from their summer retreat. By doing so, Maha Maudgalyayana was able to free his mother, after which he danced with joy. This dance is said to be the origin of the Obon festival.
One Britain One Nation (OBON) is a community interest company founded by Kash Singh in 2013. He is a former inspector with the West Yorkshire Police, who also founded the British Indian Association.
In Japan, they are mainly used to be enjoyed without any special reason. Many people see watching fireworks in the summer as being equivalent to watching cherry blossoms in spring. They are regarded as something of fleeting beauty to be enjoyed with friends or loved ones.
A hachimaki (鉢巻) is a Japanese headband, usually made of red or white cloth, typically featuring a design of kanji at the front. It is worn as a symbol of effort or courage by the wearer, especially by those in the military, or to simply keep sweat off of one's face.
List of famous matsuri
| Name Matsuri | Note | Place |
|---|
| Ojima Neputa Festival | held on August 14–15 | Gunma |
| Sanja | held at Asakusa Shrine in May | Tokyo |
| SannÅ | held at Hie Shrine in June | Tokyo |
| Tanabata | held on 6–8 August | Sendai |
Summer festivalsJapan is famous for its array of festivals in the summer. From small to large, people love to appreciate the Japanese summer at special events with the people they love. Most young women tend to wear a summer kimono, known as a yukata, to these festivals.
Families place offerings of fruit, rice, green tea, sake and lotus-shaped sweets at the graves or family altars. Paper lanterns are hung round the house to help guide the spirits home. Some families carry lanterns from the graves back to their homes. Although Obon is a memorial, it is not solemn.
The traditional cuisine of Japan (Japanese: washoku) is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes; there is an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Apart from rice, a staple includes noodles, such as soba and udon.
