(posted;
Japanese culture page)
The
Obon week in mid August (actual date is from
the 13th to the 15th) is one of Japan's major holiday seasons. Any transportation get really crowded to visit loved one. It is an annual
Buddhist event for commemorating our ancestors, as their
spirits believed to return this world in order to visit their relatives. It’s a
great opportunity for dispersed families to get together and spend time with.
Let me tell you how we spend this season;
Before Obon, around 10th, weeding and cleaning the family grave to prepare Obon. Decorate the "Obon Lantern" in front of the family altar like the picture from pc.
Normally on 12th, I clean and decorate our family altar with flowers and offering (fruits, some sweets) Renew the candles and incense.
From 13th to 15th, we visit family grave with flower. It is LOVELY to see many graves have flowers offered and show they had visits. During these days, priests are supposed to visit his parishioners' house to recite Buddhist sutras. However, it is too short for them to visit all the parishioners for only 3 days, they do this really flexible way and ours came on 5th this year.
This picture is from pc. I wished to show an example of what the family altars look like (rather gorgeous one and original wood color is more common). This one is from pc (advertisement) not from private family, so no "spirit tablet"; I thought it is ok to put here. Visiting graves while children must mean foster them the respects for the ancestors. I remember being taken mine by my parents, uncle and aunt together; good occasion to hear a little anecdote about our old relatives.
PS> I am busy having guests etc during "Obon". My next post will be around 20th. So sorry I posted today again I had this drafted before. I'll try comment on your posts but if I don't, it 's because I just don't have time. See you around friends ♪
i hope you enjoy your time with family members. what a nice way to gather and pay tribute to those who have gone on. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember this loving tribute to deceased family members, Obon, from last year. Don't work too hard and enjoy your company. xo
ReplyDeleteI love the respect and love for family you all have, my dear friend Miyako. It's something so many here could use a good lesson in. I always learn so much from your posts- you are an excellent teacher! Have wonderful times with yoru guests, my friend~
ReplyDeleteenjoy your guests my friend.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful custom in your culture.
xo
What a wonderful time to reflect on family. All children should be taught about respecting their elders and ancestors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tradition for remember those family members who have passed on. Have a wonderful time with your family and guests.
ReplyDeleteDearest Miyako san,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great tradition. Respect and remembrance for those family members that went on already.
You take care, I know this is a serious event and you are very busy preparing well.
Hugs from the west,
Mariette
Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteHi dear Miyako. I do remember reading about this last year, but it's lovely to hear it again, because I really do think that it's such a wonderful tradition, and such a good way of remembering those family members that we don't see any more. Enjoy your time with the family dear friend, and don't worry about commenting on our posts while you are busy, because that only puts pressure on! Hugs x
ReplyDeleteEine schöne Tradition, genieße die Zeit...
ReplyDeleteLieben Gruß und Sonne im Herzen
CL
°º♡
ReplyDelete°.¸♡
º° ♫♡彡° ·.
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
•.¸¸°♡彡°¸¸.•
Dear Miyako,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a nice tradition, the altar looks very nice indeed. Enjoy your time with family!
Eva
Obon is a lovely tridition and a wonderful way of honoring the memories of those who are nolonger with us . Enjoy this time visiting with family and don't worry about visiting blogs when you have this celebration to attend to. Love always my bs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely way to remember and honour loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your time with your visitors - don't worry about commenting on my blog, I know you will be busy.
Have fun my friend. :))
Hi Miyako san. I totally forgot it's Obon time in Japan! I remember visiting graves with lantern in my hand. I tried hard not to let the fire on rosoku inside lantern out. We had many visitors, too. You must get very busy! I hope you enjoy Obon and have a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteThis is nice to see you here on Green Day 8...and of course other times too..your post is pretty. Obon is a very great time, I think. I learned a dance for a Japanese cultural day. I can hum it...maybe I can find it on Youtube??? Happy Holiday.
ReplyDeleteI think all children could do with learning to have respect for the ancestors, I remember as a child going with my parents to visit cementries in fact I still enjoy doing it....
ReplyDeleteDearest Miyako san,
ReplyDeleteI was so full of life you would not believe it enjoyed every minute of it for all the years in here.
But myself to pointed it out for such a small spray gun.
Only Japanese having a beautiful thing to keeps all the time.
Yahari Japaneses desu ne?
Wutukushi omoi desu.
Anatamo karadani ganba te kudasai mase. Miyako sama.
Michiko
Miyako - I this the Obon family altar is beautiful - what a lovely way to remember family and ancestors and keep them close by xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Miyako,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about Obon and what a lovely tradition.
Thanks for sharing this as it is always lovely hearing about your culture.
Enjoy the special time
Hugs
Carolyn
Have a wonderful holiday. That is nice to have this time to think of your family. Have a nice time with your visitors...everything about it.
ReplyDeleteMiyako, Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Miyako,
ReplyDeleteI can see how you are busy. It's hard in the middle of hottest time for homemakers but a tender tradition.
In our house, the priest came 10th,because of our house is far from his temple.
Have a lovely holiday.
you are indeed very busy! the altar is very beautiful. i hope you enjoy your guests and your holiday. looking forward to "visiting" you again.
ReplyDeleteSweet Miyako, I love the Japanese Obon traditions. This is a truly meaningful and beautiful way to honor and respect your ancestors. And such a busy time for you too. Blessed Obon, my dear friend. Mina
ReplyDelete