Bon, or Obon (Japan)
Bon, or Obon, is a significant Japanese festival dedicated to honoring ancestors and is often referred to as the Festival of Souls. Celebrated in various forms across Japan, the festival typically occurs from July 13–16 or August 13–16, depending on the region. Although not an official public holiday, many businesses and government offices may close during this time. The roots of Obon are steeped in Buddhist traditions, and it has been observed for hundreds of years. Key practices during the festival include visiting ancestors' graves, offering food to the deceased, and lighting ceremonial lanterns and bonfires. Additionally, traditional dances and music are performed, showcasing regional variations in style. It is noteworthy that this festival coincides with the anniversaries of significant historical events, particularly the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which can evoke complex emotions and painful memories for many participants. Obon is also celebrated by Japanese descendants and Buddhists worldwide, making it a culturally rich and meaningful event.
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Bon, or Obon (Japan)
Bon, or Obon (Japan)
Bon, or Obon, is the Japanese Festival of Souls, a time for honoring ancestors. This event is not an official public holiday, but many businesses and government offices do close during part or all of the period of Bon, which extends either from July 13–16 or August 13–16, depending on the part of Japan. It is also celebrated by many people of Japanese descent and other Buddhists living around the world.
Rooted in Buddhist traditions, Bon has been celebrated in Japan in some form for hundreds of years. Observances include visiting the graves of ancestors, offering food to the dead, and lighting ceremonial paper lanterns and bonfires. A central aspect is the performance of traditional dances and music, which vary in style across different regions.
The festival roughly coincides with the anniversaries of some grim events in Japanese history. In 1945, during the waning days of World War II, American forces dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, and another one on the city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered shortly thereafter. The war in general and the atomic bombings in particular cost Japan many lives, and so the festival of Bon at this time of year can revive painful memories for some.
Bibliography
Afshar, Dave. "A Brief History of Obon Festival." Culture Trip, 20 May 2017, theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/a-brief-history-of-obon-festival/. Accessed 1 May. 2020.
Mishima, Shizuko. "A Guide to Japan's Obon Festival." TripSavvy, 17 Jan. 2019, www.tripsavvy.com/japan-obon-festival-1550121. Accessed 1 May. 2020.
"Obon." Japan-Guide.com, 2020, www.japan-guide.com/e/e2286.html. Accessed 1 May. 2020.
"Obon: A Summer Festival for Honoring Ancestors." Nippon.com, 8 Aug. 2015, www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00098/obon-a-summer-festival-for-honoring-ancestors.html. Accessed 1 May. 2020.
Sakamoto, Shizuka. "Obon: The Japanese Festival of the Dead: In Memory of Those That Came Before." Savvy Tokyo, 12 Aug. 2019, savvytokyo.com/obon-the-japanese-festival-of-the-dead/. Accessed 1 May. 2020.