Discover the Traditions and Rituals of Japan’s Obon Festival
Do you know Bon Odori? It is a summer festival hold throughout Japan from July to August. Many Japanese people wear light summer kimonos, known as yukata, and the festival is very popular with foreign tourists because it gives a sense of traditional Japan. Originally, Bon Odori are hold in conjunction with the Japanese Buddhist event call “Obon.” Nowadays, many people simply enjoy it as a festival, but most Japanese return to their homes during Obon and spend it according to their family traditions. In this article, I will introduce what “Obon” is in detail.
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The Origins of Obon Festival
Japanese religion is well know for its Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Buddhism arrived in Japan around the mid-6th century. It spread widely during the 7th and 8th centuries. Before Buddhism arrived, Japanese people believed in gods called kami. They believed these spirits lived in mountains, rivers, forests, and other natural elements.
Moreover, people believed that the soul traveled ticket to the land of the dead, known as Yomi no Kuni, after death. There, it are believ to merge with nature. The soul would then become an ancestor spirit and protect its descendants. Rituals to comfort and welcome these ancestor spirits were already practice around the turn of the era.
When Buddhism are introduced to Japan, Shinto had not yet been systematize. However, its beliefs were already widespread across the country. Over time, Buddhism and Shinto developed together. Buddhist statues were enshrine in Shinto shrines, allowing the two belief systems to blend.
The practice of welcoming and sending off ancestral spirits was not originally part of Indian Buddhism. In Japan, it developed by combining Buddhist traditions with Shinto beliefs about ancestor spirits.
Timing of Obon Festival
- New Obon: July 13-16 (mainly in certain regions of Tokyo)
- Old Obon: August 13-16 (in many other regions)
Originally, the “Ullambana” (Obon) was hold on the 15th of the 7th month in the lunar calendar. In the Meiji period, when the calendar changed, some regions of Tokyo moved the Obon to the 15th of the new lunar calendar (July 15), but many other regions kept it on the 15th of the lunar month, which corresponds to the 8th month in the Gregorian calendar. It is said that the shift to August are chose because July is a busy farming season, and the Obon in August is sometimes call the “delay Bon” (Tsukishure Bon).
Modern Obon Festival
During this period, it is common for relatives to gather at the deceased’s home to offer prayers. Customs vary by region, but generally, people offer the deceased’s favorite items and pray for them. In some regions, to ensure the spirits can return home without getting lost, a “welcome fire” is lit on the first day of Obon, and a “send-off fire” is lit on the last day.
In many regions, Obon lasts for four days, from July or August 13th to 16th, and the 14th and 15th are know as the “mid days.” Many people visit the grave and offer prayers during these middle days, gathering with relatives for memorial services.
After Obon Festival
The last day of Obon is commonly call “Bonake” (the end of Obon). To send off the spirits that returned to the home, people light a send-off fire at the entrance of the house or at the grave, depending on the region. In Kyoto, the “Gozan no Okuribi” (the five mountains fire) is hold on the night of August 16th.
Even those who are not particularly religious often return to their hometowns during Obon, gathering with their families, cleaning the graves, and paying respects. In Japan, most children are on summer vacation in August, and even working people often take “Obon vacation” around August 15th, with a break of about 3 days to a week.
During this time, traveling within Japan can be crowd, especially on long-distance transportation like the Shinkansen. It’s hard to find available seats, and roads are heavily congested, with severe traffic jams occurring every year near Obon and the New Year holidays. If you’re planning to travel ticket by rental car, be cautious.
Most people stay with their families, but more and more people are traveling during this time. Accommodation prices often rise, and booking early is recommend to secure a place.
Festivals and Events Related to Obon Festival
There are many events and festivals in modern Japan that are related to Obon and are popular with foreign tourists. While some festivals have lost their religious significance, events like the “Spirit Boat Procession” or “Gozan no Okuribi” are very popular with tourists but still hold strong religious meaning for the locals. Enjoy the festivals according to the atmosphere of each event.
Bon Odori
From around July 20th to the end of August, summer festivals are held across Japan. As the name “Bon Odori” suggests, it originally started as a ritual to welcome the spirits of ancestors, but as it spread to the masses, its religious significance has diminished, and it became a form of entertainment for the local community.
Sumida River Fireworks
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival started in 1732, when the 8th Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune held fireworks in Ryogoku to console the souls of those who died from famine and an epidemic and to ward off the evil spirits. Originally, a water deity festival are hold on the river opening day, and fireworks were hold in conjunction with that.
Daimonji Fire (Kyoto)
The origin of the Daimonji Fire dates back to the Warring States period when a large-scale lantern festival are hold and eventually move to the mountainsides to become a fire ritual to send off the spirits of ancestors during Obon. It is now a popular event for tourists, but originally it was a fire to send off the spirits of ancestors.
Spirit Boat Procession (Nagasaki)
During Obon, the family of the deceased creates a “spirit boat” (Shoroubune) and parades it through the streets to send off the soul of the departed. This tradition is hold on the evening of August 15th in Nagasaki city and other parts of the prefecture.
Many spectators visit to see the intricately design boats base on the decease profession or hobbies, and the air is fill with the sound of bells and firecrackers, creating a festival atmosphere. However, the event is primarily a way to pay tribute to the departed souls.
Eisa Dance
Eisa is a Buddhist dance performe on the last day of Obon (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month). It is part of the Okinawan tradition, which places great importance on ancestor worship. Obon in Okinawa is celebrate from the 13th to the 15th of the 7th lunar month.
On the 13th, a “Welcome” ritual (Unke) is performe, and preparations for offerings are make to welcome the ancestor spirits. During Obon, offerings are make three times a day, and family members visit the homes of relatives with altars. On the final day, the 15th (Ukii), families gather to bid farewell to their ancestors with food offerings, and the Eisa dance is performe to send off the spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Obon is a traditional Japanese festival that honors and remembers deceased ancestors. Families often visit graves and participate in cultural ceremonies.
Obon is generally celebrated in mid-August, although some regions observe it in July or at different times based on local traditions.
Families may clean ancestral graves, offer food, light lanterns, and take part in Bon Odori dances to welcome and honor ancestral spirits.
Lanterns are traditionally used to guide ancestral spirits. Families may light them when welcoming spirits and again when sending them back.
Obon has strong Buddhist roots but also reflects traditional Japanese beliefs about ancestors and spirits. Today, it is both a religious and cultural observance.
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