All about Obon Festival - Japanese Day of the Dead

Thus, the country is home to many interesting festivals and rituals, one of which is the Obon Matsuri. Also known as the Japanese Day of the Dead, the Obon Festival is when Japanese people express gratitude and pay tribute to their deceased ancestors. Let’s get to know more about the meaningful Obon Festival with GoEMON in this article right here! 

1. The origin and meaning of Obon Festival

Obon, or can be shortened into Bon, is a Japanese tradition featuring the fusion of the country’s ancient belief in ancestral spirits and the Buddhist custom of honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors. Disturbed by this finding, he made offerings of food and drink and was able to release his mother’s spirit from suffering. Upon this, the disciple was overflowing with happiness and thus danced with joy. This is also the birth of the Bon Odori - Bon Dance, which is performed at Obon Festivals nowadays. 

Source: TokyoWeekender 

This legend was integrated and became an indispensable part of Japanese culture. As the years go by, the story behind the festival has also evolved. Obon Noweays is seen as a family holiday where Japanese people all across the country and even worldwide partake in traditional activities honoring their lost ones, as well as enjoying the festivities of the festival. 

2. Dates 

Obon Festivals are generally held over a period of 3 days from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar. However, there are variations depending on the region, such as: 

• Shichigatsu Bon (July Bon) is celebrated on the 15th of July of the Gregorian calendar in the Kanto region of Japan (such as Tokyo and Yokohama) and the Tohoku region
• Kyu Bon (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month in the Northern Kanto, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions and the southern western islands of Japan.
• Hachigatsu Bon (August Bon) is celebrated on the 15th of August in Kyoto according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is most well-known in Kyoto, attracting millions of both international and domestic visitors 

3. Rituals performed during the Obon Festival

• Preparations: Prior to the festival, families will decorate cucumbers and eggplants with chopsticks, the former representing a horse and the latter representing a cow. Families hope that their loved ones will get back to the world of the living quickly on the horse and return back to the spirit world slowly on the cow.

Source: We-xpats  

• Mukaebi (Welcoming Fire): Held on the 13th, this event marks the beginning of the Obon festival. During this time, people will light a small fire called ogara to create smoke that the ghosts of the deceased ancestors can follow to return to the land of the living. 
• Paying tribute: The 14th and 15th are the times for family members to gather and make time to visit their relatives’ graves, during which they will clean and decorate the graves, pay respect and honor them, as well as lighting incense leave flowers, and offerings at the altars. 
• Participate in the Obon festival: You can also participate in the many festivities of the Obon festival such as wearing a kimono and yukata, enjoying traditional Japanese foods, and taking part in the traditional Bon Odori dance. 

Source: Nippon 

• Okuribi (Farewell Fire): The spirits return to the land of the living following the smoke of a fire and likewise, come back to the land of the dead also with a fire. 

4. Obon Festival in Kyoto 

As previously mentioned, the largest Obon celebration will be held in Kyoto - Japan’s old capital. The highlight of the festival is the Gozan no Okuribi. The event features five giant bonfires lit up on mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto to lead the souls of the deceased back to the land of the dead. The most distinct bonfire is known as Daimonji, lit to form the shape of a giant 大 (the Kanji character of “large”) on Daimonji mountain. After the fire has burnt out, the Bon Odori dances will be performed at Yusenji Temple at the foot of the mountain. The ritual in particular and the Obon celebration in Kyoto in general attract large numbers of both international and domestic tourists to the city. 

Source: Pinterest 

The festival ends with a fireworks display accompanied by the Toro Nagashi ceremony where small and delicately decorated lanterns and flower boats are released to float on the water. This is another way for the Japanese to say farewell to the souls of their loved ones and ancestors. 

Source: Thetaste

GoEMON hopes that our article is of use in getting you to know more about Obon - a deep-rooted and much-cherished cultural tradition with profound meaning for Japanese people. If you have the chance to be in Japan this August, we definitely recommend participating in the event! 

What will you be doing at this Obon festival in Japan? Share with us in the comment section down below!

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Cover Source: Pinterest