about some seasonal customs or events in Japan.

visiting the grave of ancestor, offering flowers and prayin for them.

I will tell you about Buddhist rituals to pay respect to ancestors of the family. On both Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day which is what is called Higan, we visit the grave of our ancestors to clean the grave, offer the flowers and pray for them. Higan means “another bank of river “ which signifies another world. We pray for ancestor who is believed to exist in another world on both two days.

an example of household Buddhist altar at the obon season.

The other Buddhist event is Obon. During Obon season, from August 13 to 15, it is believed that souls of ancestor come back to their former homes. On August 13, people in some regions go to the grave holding a lantern to guide the souls back to home. In front of the household Buddhist altar, we put a meal of vegetables served in a small red colored lacquered wares for the souls. After relaxing at home, the souls are believed to return to heaven on August 15.

Bon Odori festival is still held on the grounds of temples or shrines. This festival was originally aimed at solacing or entertaining the departed souls.

Bon dance performed in a public park, temple or shinto shrine precincts
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