How do you celebrate the Obon festival?

How do you celebrate the Obon festival?

During Obon, there are traditionally lanterns that are hung in front of houses, dances that are performed, and offerings(ozen) that are put out in front of altars, temples, and sometimes grave sites. Many people will also visit grave sites to clean and wash grave stones and grave markers of their family.

What time does the Obon festival start?

For those who love to dance, the Gujo Odori Festival In Gujo, (Gifu prefecture) is a week-long party where dancers perform each night from 8 pm until 5 in the morning. Over 1.3 million tourists go there each year.

What is Obon season in Japan?

Mid-August means the obon (お盆) festival season in Japan is about to get underway. Obon is a festival and period in August for Buddhist ceremonies venerating a family’s ancestors. Many consider that the spirits of the ancestors return to be with their families during obon.

Where in Japan is the Obon festival celebrated?

Kyoto
During Obon, Kyoto celebrates with the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi, also known as the Daimonji Festival. During this festival, huge bonfires are lit on the mountains surrounding Kyoto. These fires can be viewed from all over the city, and offer spectacular sights during the Obon festival.

Why is Obon important to Japan?

The Obon celebration is one of the most important customs for the Japanese. Also known as Bon, this season is used to celebrate the spirits of a person’s ancestors. A custom introduced by the Buddhists to the Japanese, it is a holiday that brings the family together and reunites them with the dead.

Is Obon a national holiday in Japan?

When is Obon? Even though Obon is a traditional festival and not an official holiday in Japan, many offices will be closed (around 60\% of businesses close) and travelling on roads and public transport may be busier than normal as many people take a vacation during this period and return to their family homes.

How has the Obon festival changed over time?

The celebrations have changed over the years and each temple and church celebrates them a little differently. Buddhist temples throughout the Central Valley have celebrated Obon in some capacity for a number of years. The festival is a newer trend comparatively, but some dancing traditions predate the war.

How did the Obon festival start?

Origins. The exact origins of Obon are murky; the story behind the ritual is believed to have originated in India, then spread to China and other parts of South Asia, eventually making its way to Japan. In it, a disciple of Buddha uses supernatural powers to contact the spirit of his deceased mother.

Why is Obon important?

What is the Japanese summer festival?

matsuri
What Are Summer Festivals Like in Japan? Summer festivals, also known as matsuri, are held all over Japan from July through August. Most summer festivals are annual traditions, and intended to celebrate the gods, the seasons, and historical events. Some of these festivals can last for weeks.

How do Japanese celebrate festivals?

Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine’s deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some festival are held over several days. An important element of Japanese festivals are processions, in which the local shrine’s kami (Shinto deity) is carried through the town in mikoshi (palanquins).

What is Obon Festival in Japan?

Obon or the Bon festival can be called Japan’s “Day Of The Dead”. This festival is how the Japanese people celebrate the spirits of their deceased ancestors every year. This festival celebrates the lives and spirits of those who have passed away. People all across Japan celebrate the arrival of the spirits of the dead during Obon.

What is the difference between the Chinese Ghost Festival and Obon?

Japan’s Obon has fixed dates to celebrate Obon, usually from August 13 to 16 (following a switch from using the lunar calendar). But the Chinese Ghost Festival is calculated according to the lunar calendar, on the 15th of the 7th lunar month (falling from early August to early September).

Which festival is celebrated mainly by Japanese people?

Obon festival is celebrated mainly by the Japanese people. Obon is a Japanese festival that originated in Japan. It is also celebrated by Japanese people who live in other countries. The Bon festival is a holiday completely native to Japan. It is an important part of Japanese culture and tradition.

What is Obon and how do you Celebrate It?

Every 7th month of the year, Japan celebrates Obon, one of the biggest holiday periods of the year. But what is Obon? In short, it is a wholesome family event mixed with a splash of the supernatural. It’s a holiday for remembrance and celebrating life with the people you love. The best part?