What is Obon お盆?

What is Obon? 

A Sacred Japanese Tradition of Welcoming Ancestral Spirits

In Japan, "Obon" arrives during the summer, a time when many people consider returning to their hometowns. This period, often marked on calendars, is not merely a summer holiday but a traditional event to welcome the spirits of ancestors into the home, offering them gratitude and commemoration. Its origins are traced back to the Buddhist "Urabon-e" festival, and through a long history, it has merged with Shinto customs and other practices, evolving into a uniquely refined Japanese cultural tradition.

Obon is the period when ancestral spirits are believed to return to this world once a year. During this time, people visit graves, purify the family Buddhist altar, and make special offerings, reaffirming their spiritual connection with deceased family and ancestors. It can be described as a solemn and heartwarming "festival of the soul," a time to express gratitude for one's roots and to reflect on the sanctity of life.

In modern times, Obon is not only a series of specific religious rites but is also deeply ingrained in people's lives as an invaluable opportunity for family and relatives to gather and strengthen their bonds. While the ways of observing Obon and its customs vary by region, the spirit of revering ancestors and giving thanks for the family's well-being is universal throughout the nation. This period, a step away from the bustle of daily life, allows people to return to their origins and serves as a vital spiritual pillar for the Japanese people.

Principal Customs of Obon

• Mukaebi & Okuribi (Welcoming and Sending-off Fires) On the evening of the first day of Obon (August 13th in many regions), "Mukaebi" or welcoming fires are lit so that the ancestral spirits can return home without getting lost. Then, on the final day of Obon (around August 16th), "Okuribi" or sending-off fires are lit to guide the spirits back to the other world. Kyoto's "Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji)" is an example of a sending-off fire that has evolved into a large-scale event.

• Bondana (Shoryodana) A special altar to welcome the spirits of the ancestors is called a "Bondana" or "Shoryodana". It is set up in front of the Buddhist altar or in a parlor, where a woven mat is laid out. At its center are the ancestral tablets, surrounded by offerings such as seasonal vegetables and fruits, as well as items that the deceased enjoyed in their lifetime. A cucumber horse and an eggplant cow are symbolic offerings of Obon, representing the wish for ancestors to return home swiftly (on the horse) and to depart slowly and leisurely (on the cow).

• Bon Odori (Bon Dance) The Bon dances held in various regions during the Obon season are said to have originated as dances to comfort and entertain the spirits of the returning ancestors. Today, they are beloved as summer festivals that strengthen community ties, yet at their core lies the joy of spending time together with one's ancestors.

• Hakamairi (Visiting Graves) During the Obon period, families visit the cemetery together to carefully clean the graves and offer flowers and incense. This is one of the most important acts of memorial, serving as a way to directly convey feelings of gratitude to the ancestors.

Obon is a manifestation of a spiritual culture long cherished by the Japanese people—one that reveres the unseen and reaffirms the bonds between family and community. Through this traditional event, we can feel the continuum of life passed down from our ancestors and learn the importance of carrying it forward into the future.