Hello! It is the blog How Unique Japan! How are you, everybody?
For this page, I would like to write about one unique Japanese festival (season). It is Obon season, around the 13th of August to the 16th every year.
It seems like Día de Muertos (All Soul’s day) in Mexico. So, during that season, we Japanese pay respect to the deceased close to us, for example, friends, relatives, and our beloved family, because we believe that they would come back from heaven and stay with us for about four days.
See more details.
The history of Obon
The idea is originally from Buddhism in Japan. There is a word “U ra bo n e” (please read it with Roman letters) in the scripture, meaning respect for the dead we loved. As time passed, the word became Obon.
Do you remember? The Japanese usually idolize spiritual things. The Shinto, one of the original religions, can be a good example. (if you don’t know, please check it).
Thus, the ancient Japanese emperor Suiko (tenno) treated the idea of Urabone as one official event. It was about 606 AC. Indeed, it has a long history.
What do we do for this event?
For the start and end of the event, we fire some dried stems of the heap, called Ogara, to celebrate/welcome the deceased coming back.
(On the other hand, we also fire them for farewell).
Interestingly, each prefecture in Japan (48th there) has a unique rule or habit to do it. Sometimes, it is preparing one more meal or offering rice.
However, making two dolls, Hose and Cow, and setting them in the entrance from 13th to 16th is the popular way for all Japanese.
Look at the picture.
As you can see, they are vegetables, cucumbers, and eggplants.
It is vague why we Japanese use them as hoses (cucumber) and cows (eggplant). At least, there is one theory that both are vegetables in summertime. Thus, it was easy for the old Japanese to consume them.
Why house and cow?
They mean the transportation between the dead and the living world. In detail, we (from the mortal side) hope the past lovers will come quickly with a hose. When it is time to leave, we shall set them on the cow because they are slow and comfortable to enjoy sightseeing on the way back to heaven.
It sounds like an activity.
One more event in Obon season
We Japanese cannot talk about the season without one more feature. It is Bon Odori (Bon dance).
You already might see it due to its famousness. Every summer season, Japan has many festivals. Additionally, many customers do Bon dance as the primary part. (Some of them do not have.)
Indeed. The dance shall have a meaning that is concerned with the deceased. The activity is a welcome party for them. A long time ago, the dance was sacred, based on Buddhism.
After the Kamakura era (from 1180 to 1336 AC), the dance gradually became an exciting part of the summer festivals.
To close
Thank you very much for handling this article! I hope it is to erase your boring time.
However, this is not yet. You can observe more Japanese unique info through this blog – the Edo era (traditional Japan) and Japanese food. If you are interested, please try to click here (the front page of this blog)!!
OK. Time to leave! See you for the next article coming soon!