Tuesday 16th of August 2005
The O-bon days
Lanterns: In some park in tokyo I sadly forgot the name of.
Through the 13th to the 16th August O-bon is celebrated in Japan. It is a Buddhist event in which you pray for the repose of one’s ancestors who are thought to visit our homes during O-bon.
I remember when they thought us about O-bon in Japanese class back in 2001 or so. Yes, I remember something. Thank you Sagae sensei. :o -So, these fires called mukaebi are lit in the entrances of homes to guide the ancestor’s spirits, they also offer food such as fruits to the spirits in front of the family abutsudan which in turn is decorated with paper lanterns and flowers.
The best part, are the dances. bon odori (folk dances) are held around Japan. The type of dance varies from area to area, and people will wear yukatas (summer kimonos) go to their closest shrine, temple or park and dance. I remember Daisuke played music from gozilla in class, and we danced to it. Yes, we were crazy. We still are.
Toro Nagashi (floating paper lanterns) are sent off down a river and onto the ocean on the evening of the 15th, representing the ancestor’s spirits with a paper lantern, lit by a candle inside. Fireworks displays (Hanabi-taikai) are often held during O-bon.
I miss Japan.
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