Origins of Obon

Obon’s official name is “盂蘭盆会” (Urabonneh). 

The period of welcoming ancestors’ spirits and having a memorial service for them is called “Obon”. Urabonneh originally means “hanging upside down” in Indian Sanskrit which was then transliterated into Japanese kanji where the meaning was changed into “the ceremony to rescue people who are suffering as if they are being hanged upside down.” 

One of the stories of where Obon began is that one of the apprentices of Buddha named “目連尊者” (Mokurensosha) rescued his mother who was hanged upside down in the hell of hunger. Mokurensosha found out that his mother was hanged upside down in hell through his psychic power. He asked Buddha how to rescue her. Buddha said, “To rescue your mother, invite many monks on the 15th of July after summer training, present many offerings to her and have memorial service.” He did as Buddha told him and was able to rescue her from hell. 

Since then, the 15th of July became an important day for thanking your parents and ancestors. However, in recent years Obon has been moved to the 15th of August in Japan, even though there are some areas that still practice it during July. There are also many different ways of celebrating Obon, spread out through many places and different religions or customs, but it’s usually thought of as the days when ancestral spirits come home.

What you do during Obon

Obon is practiced both at home, and at temples throughout Japan. The spirits of ancestors are welcomed into the family’s home, and families go and visit the graves of those who have passed on. At temples, they hold prayers for all the spirits who may be trapped in the hell of hunger. 

Obon is a time for families, relatives and people to get together. Many people who live far away from their family usually return home for Obon the day, where they can meet other relatives from far away, and talk with their family. Almost like a family reunion in the west.

Obon is a chance for people to get together for a memorial ceremony to remember those that have passed on. Talking about the memories of the dead people is an important custom for Japan. Long ago, it was only during Obon that women who moved far away after getting married could go home and reconnect with her family, ancestors and home.

When we visit graves, we usually go with family. At first, the master of the house puts presents and flowers in front of the grave then claps his hands and bows. Other family members also bow and light incense and pour water on the grave, in the order of closest relation. Some of houses have a custom in which they lead spirits by a lamp lit with fire from their Buddhist alter. A monk in the area visits houses and recites a sutra at each house.

Mukae bi: Ceremonial Bon fire at the beginning of Obon

Mukae bi is a “welcome fire”, and is lit at the gate of houses during the late afternoon of the 13th to welcome the ancestors’ spirits home.

After decorating the Buddhist alter and preparing food for the spirits on the 12th or the morning of the 13th, family members light a lamp at the entrance during the late afternoon of the 13th. After lighting the lamp, family members bow and pray.

It used to be believed that the smoke flows with the wind and lead the spirits to the house. 

Okuri bi: Ceremonial Bon fire at the end of Obon

Okuri bi (lit. sending-off light) is a light to send off the spirits at the end of Obon, and is lit in the late afternoon of the 16th. After Obon, we lead the spirits on their way home with the light. It’s lit in the same spot as the Mukae bi. The Daimonji (which is the common name for Gozan no okuribi 五山送り火) in Kyoto is the most famous Okuri bi, and is made of 5 bonfires constructed in the shape of 5 Kanji, and lit on the five mountains surrounding Kyoto.

Obon Decorations

One of the decorations used during Obon is the 精霊馬 (Shouryouma) which looks like a horse or cow, and is made from an eggplant and cucumber with chopsticks stuck in as their legs. Cucumbers are an example of a horse with hope that the spirits can come back home fast. Eggplant is used for the cow, and symbolizes the hope that the spirits can return to the spirit world relaxed.

Bon Dancing

There are many theories about how Bon dancing originated. One theory is that the dancing consoles the spirits, and can ward off evils and lost souls. Another theory is that the dancing embodies the joy of those spirits that were able to pass on to heaven. Yet another theory that the dancing can help send the spirits into the next world. Nowadays Bon dancing doesn’t have much religious meaning, but many people practice it as a fun and enjoyable tradition during Obon.