Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Obon

I've posted before about Obon, a Japanese service for the dead. You might know it as the festival of lanterns, but I'll let Wikipedia explain it.

Obon (お盆?) or just Bon (?) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed (deceased) spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. Also called the Feast of Lanterns, it has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.
We traditionally head out to Raymond to the cemetery to honour the relatives that have passed away. As well we often take family pictures. Here are a few from this years gathering. Of particular interest is the ever-growing number of kids. I find it so interesting how the "Japanese" has been diluted down, but I hope the traditions will remain strong.
From 2009_07 Obon

From 2009_07 Obon

From 2009_07 Obon

From 2009_07 Obon

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