It's been a quiet week at work this week as many of my students were out of town on holiday. From the 13 to 15th of August each year the Japanese celebrate a buddhist festival called Obon. It is believed that during this time the souls of those who have passed on return to earth. On this occasion people take time out from their day to day lives to remember their deceased ancestors. It is a very significant time for the Japanese, and this is one of only two times during the year when most people will actually take time off work (the other is New Years Week). A lot of people travel to their hometowns to be with their families during this time.
There is a lot of ritual associated with Obon and it was interesting to chat to many of my students in class about the customs involved. On the first night of Obon many students told me they would burn bright bamboo fires in the belief that this would help guide the spirits on their journey home. Other students had participated in what is called the Obon Odori or Obon Dance which is held in neithbourhoods throughout Japan. People get together over the three nights to dance in a circle to the sound of Tiako Drumming. These dances are very loud and are designed to get the attention of spirits who are believed to be drifting around at this time, and also to
welcome them back.
To prepare for Obon wooden altars are decorated and used to present offerings of flowers, fruit and other food to the ancestor remembered. An altar will be displayed at the family home and one will be laid at the gravesite. Japanese graves are a little different than the European style. Here, the dead are always cremated and their ashes are buried in or near a special room, which is either underground or in a wooden construction resembling a small hut. It is here that families will lay the altar and pray for their relatives. Many people also go to the temple during Obon or receive a visit from their local Buddhist priest who will join them for prayers for the soul of their loved ones. The priest will chant from the sacred Okyo scripture and bless the altar during his visit. Its quite interesting to hear Japanese people explain this practice as most, by their own admission claim that they are not by nature a religious people and do not strictly adhere to one
particular faith.
The ritual and traditions involved in Obon are very interesting but I think that the great thing about Obon is the time that families spend together. Even the busiest salaryman can return from a big city to their hometown areas and three or four generations of the extended family can be reunited for a while.
Often families hold a special dinner together and will spend the evening eating and drinking, remembering those that have died and passing on stories to the next generation. In such a work obsessed country it seems this holiday gives Japanese people the rare opportunity to spend a few days with the family and for that reason alone it is a special time. In saying that Obon also seems quite a solemn occasion and it is often very emotional for people here who have
lost loved ones recently.
There is a lot of ritual associated with Obon and it was interesting to chat to many of my students in class about the customs involved. On the first night of Obon many students told me they would burn bright bamboo fires in the belief that this would help guide the spirits on their journey home. Other students had participated in what is called the Obon Odori or Obon Dance which is held in neithbourhoods throughout Japan. People get together over the three nights to dance in a circle to the sound of Tiako Drumming. These dances are very loud and are designed to get the attention of spirits who are believed to be drifting around at this time, and also to
welcome them back.
To prepare for Obon wooden altars are decorated and used to present offerings of flowers, fruit and other food to the ancestor remembered. An altar will be displayed at the family home and one will be laid at the gravesite. Japanese graves are a little different than the European style. Here, the dead are always cremated and their ashes are buried in or near a special room, which is either underground or in a wooden construction resembling a small hut. It is here that families will lay the altar and pray for their relatives. Many people also go to the temple during Obon or receive a visit from their local Buddhist priest who will join them for prayers for the soul of their loved ones. The priest will chant from the sacred Okyo scripture and bless the altar during his visit. Its quite interesting to hear Japanese people explain this practice as most, by their own admission claim that they are not by nature a religious people and do not strictly adhere to one
particular faith.
The ritual and traditions involved in Obon are very interesting but I think that the great thing about Obon is the time that families spend together. Even the busiest salaryman can return from a big city to their hometown areas and three or four generations of the extended family can be reunited for a while.
Often families hold a special dinner together and will spend the evening eating and drinking, remembering those that have died and passing on stories to the next generation. In such a work obsessed country it seems this holiday gives Japanese people the rare opportunity to spend a few days with the family and for that reason alone it is a special time. In saying that Obon also seems quite a solemn occasion and it is often very emotional for people here who have
lost loved ones recently.
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