During our “How We Remember” series, we’re exploring how memorialization is practiced throughout the world—across diverse geographic regions, cultures and religions. We want to explore how we are all connected in the universal experience of losing a loved one. Past articles in this series include:
- How We Remember: The History of Headstones Across Cultures and Religions
- How We Remember: Cemetery Types in the United States
- How We Remember: All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, and Día de los Muertos
The Obon festival (also referred to simply as Bon) is one of the more important events celebrated in Japanese culture. Although celebrated differently in regions of Japan, this annual Buddhist holiday was created to memorialize one’s ancestors.
Memorialization is a way to cherish and celebrate memories we have of those who have passed. We believe memorialization is a crucial part of the grieving process. One important element of memorialization includes significant dates throughout the year. These days call for us to take a minute to reflect and remember lost loved ones.
In this article, we’re talking about the origins of Obon, along with the common traditions and celebrations that take place during the event. We also discuss some of the most well-known Obon festivals in Japan.
The Origins of Bon Festival
Celebrated for more than 500 years, Obon originates from the story of Maha Maugalyayana (Mokuren). As a disciple of Buddha, he used his powers to see the spirit of his mother who had passed away and discovered she was suffering.
Buddha then prompted him to make offerings to Buddhist monks and after following the advice from Buddha, his mother was released from the hurt she was experiencing in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.
Mokuren danced with joy and thus, the Obon festival was born.
Traditions and Celebrations
Obon is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the seventh month—August. Each day of the Obon week has its own traditions and celebrations.
On the first day of Obon, families take chochin lanterns to the graves of their loved ones. There, they partake in a ritual called mukae-bon—the calling of their ancestors’ spirits to come home. The paper lanterns are hung to guide the spirits, but some regions light huge fires to serve the same purpose.
While at the gravesites, many people will clean and wash the memorials of their family. Some cemeteries in Japan even provide ladles for water to help with this ritual.
Rhythms of Japanese taiko drums are played while families perform traditional Obon dances in kimonos. These dances are done in a way as if they are dancing with their ancestors.
At the end of the Bon Festival, a ritual called okuri-bon takes place where families return to the grave to help their ancestors return. During this time, lanterns and fires are put out to send the spirits home to where they came from.
Popular Festivals in Japan
With a population of more than 125 million people, regions across Japan have the opportunity to host a number of special Obon festival events.
One of the most popular is held in Kyoto, known as the Daimonji Festival. Mountainsides are filled with character-shaped bonfires that are visible throughout the city.
For all the dance-lovers out there, Gujo Odori Festival is a week-long celebration in the city Gifu, where performances take place each night from 8:00 p.m. until five in the morning. This event sees more than 1.3 million tourists each year.
The Awa Odori Festival is Tokushima’s most famous attraction where over a million people show up in the streets to watch or participate in this well-known festival of folk dance.
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