O-bon is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist festival has been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Traditionally including a dance festival, it has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. It is held from 13th of July to the 16th ("Welcoming Obon" and "Farewell Obon" respectively) in the eastern part of Japan (Kanto), and in August in the western part (Kansai). Obon shares some similarities with the Mexican observance of el Día de los Muertos.

The O-Bon (or Bon) festival is observed all over the country, and the style of celebration varies in some aspects from region to region. Prefectures often have their own ways of dancing the Bon Odori and their own music to go with it. A Bon Odori in Okayama prefecture will be completely different from one in Kanagawa prefecture. People line up around a high wooden building made especially for the festival called a yagura . There are many kinds of music that go with the dance. The music varies from classical music to Japanese traditional music such as the Makkou Onndo .

People often wear a kimono or yukata when they dance, contributing to the traditional atmosphere of the O-Bon festival, which has a long history but has undergone many changes over the centuries. It is still treasured by people from all generations, and is a tradition which will be likely to continue far into the future.

Obon is a shortened form of the legendary Urabonne/Urabanna. (Sanskrit for "hanging upside down in hell and suffering"). The Japanese believe they should ameliorate the suffering of the "Urabanna".

It is said in the time of Shakyamuni; one of his fellows Mokuren saw the image of his dead mother suffering in hell. Mokuren was desperate to relieve her pain and asked Shaka for help. Shaka answered, "On 15th of July, provide a big feast for the past seven generations of dead. Mokuren did as he was told, and thankfully, his mother's suffering was relieved. This is the inception of the tradition.

Bon Odori

Bon Odori (盆踊り) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward their ancestors. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to express the effusive welcome toward the spirits of the dead, the dance tends to vary by region.

Bon Odori originates from the story of a Buddhist disciple who envisioned his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was indulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha advised his disciple to perform some charitable act in memory of his mother. The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother's release. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother's release and grateful for his mother's kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or "Bon Dance", a time in which our ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated.

The tradition is said to have started in the later years of the Muromachi period as a public entertainment. In the course of time, the original religious meaning has faded, and has evoked a summery image.

External Links

Bon Dance: Description of various Bon Dance styles and resources.

See Also

• Japanese calendar
• Japanese culture