— SACRED TIME —

Obon

August 13–15 · Shintō · Eastern traditions

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Annual return of the ancestors' souls to the homes of the living; at the end of the festival they are guided back with lanterns to the water current.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Mukaebi: welcoming fire lit at the entrance
·Bon odori dance
·Toro nagashi: lanterns released into the river on the last night

Traditional foods

·Vegetarian food (shojin ryori)
·Fruit and rice on the home altar

Offerings

·Cucumber-horse and eggplant-ox for the souls' journey
·Incense at the butsudan altar

Taboos to respect

·Do not swim in the sea on the last day
·Do not leave the altar without fresh offerings

Associated symbols

Lanterns · Entrance fire · River