“Bon Festival” : 4 days event welcoming our ancestors’ souls

Photo by Yoshihito Miki

It is one of the traditional national events in Japan. During August 13-16 people welcome their ancestors’ souls to this world and worship them. It is believed that our ancestors actually come back to this world for a limited time.

The picture above is called “Tourou-nagashi.” On the last day of the Obon, we lit the tourou with all the offerings for the ancestors inside and float them down the river or sea. It is believed that the end of the water is connected to the other world.

During the obon days, we make 2 figures called “shouryouuma.”

They are simply made with two kinds of vegetables, cucumbers and eggplants, and wooden chopsticks.

A cumber means a horse so that your ancestors can run back home quickly. An eggplant becomes a cow because it’s always sad to say good-bye and your ancestors can stay in this world with you as long as the time allows.

And this is a MODERN VERSION of shouryou “CAR”! I made this car because I wanted to meet my ancestors ASAP! Isn’t this great? It runs very fast!!

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