The Obon festival originated from Buddhism and is associated with the story of Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana going down to hell to save his mother. The festival's official name is Urabon (Vu Lan Bon), a transliteration of the Sanskrit word Ullambhana (meaning to rescue souls from suffering). According to the Buddhist concept of reincarnation, on Vu Lan festival people often offer delicious food, burn gold, silver, and paper clothes for the deceased so that they will not be hungry or thirsty in the underworld, and pray for their quick reincarnation. However, although they also hold the Obon festival to commemorate the deceased, the Japanese believe that the deceased will become a spirit that protects their family members, and will not reincarnate, but will return to the mortal world during the Obon period to enjoy with their descendants. This is probably due to the influence of Shinto, the native religion of the Japanese, which has formed the Obon festival with its own unique characteristics.
Japanese people often hang lanterns to welcome spirits during the Obon festival.
Obon festival also has similarities with the 15th day of the 7th lunar month - the day of pardoning the dead in Vietnam. But according to Vietnamese beliefs, the 7th lunar month is the month of wandering souls, unlucky and bad luck, often tabooed, avoiding traveling, going far away, many families also eat vegetarian food and recite Buddha. Obon festival in August in Japan is an occasion for Japanese people, even those who are far away, to gather to visit grandparents, parents and visit the graves of relatives, combine going out, traveling, participating in many festivals... This is a big holiday in the summer in Japan, companies and factories are all closed, sometimes the holiday lasts up to 10 days. Employees take the opportunity to return to their hometown to visit family, visit graves or travel here and there.
Obon usually lasts for three to four days, but the starting date varies between regions of Japan. Shichigatsu Bon (July Bon) is held on July 15th of the Gregorian calendar in areas such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Tohoku. Kyu Bon (Old Bon) is held on the 15th of the July lunar calendar in the northern Kanto, Chugoku, Shikoku, and southwestern islands. Hatchigatsu Bon (August Bon) is held on August 15th of the Gregorian calendar, and the official date is usually from August 13 to August 16. This is the most popular and largest Obon festival held in the ancient capital of Kyoto. This difference began when Japan switched from the lunar calendar to the solar calendar at the beginning of the Meiji era.
The Gozan Okuribi bonfire ceremony on five mountains in Kyoto aims to guide the deceased back to the spiritual world after the Obon festival.
Obon festival takes place in August of the solar calendar, in the following order:
On the 12th, people will clean the altar and prepare decorations, offerings, and lanterns. In case someone in the family has just passed away, they must also prepare offerings for visitors.
The 13th is the day to welcome the souls, also known as Obon. The whole family will gather and visit the family graves. In the evening, they place lighted candles in front of the altar and burn the stripped thorn stalks in the garden and gate. This is called the “Welcoming Fire” to help the souls find their way back home.
The 14th and 15th are officially Obon. This is the time when spirits stay at home. People place offerings on the altar to pay respect to the spirits. This is also the time when street events begin.
The 16th is the day to send off the souls. At this time, people light the “Sending Fire” at the same place where the “Welcoming Fire” was lit to light the way to send the souls to the other world. In some places, people also send them off by releasing lanterns into the river.
Nowadays, many Japanese families celebrate Obon more simply and many people no longer remember the traditional rituals of Obon, but only consider this a long holiday, they can go home to visit their families or travel, participate in summer festivals... But even so, Obon is still an important festival for the Japanese, an occasion for family reunion and bonding, so the beauty of Obon is not lost, but on the contrary, is still preserved in this era.
