July 29, 2010 in Sekaione Press, e-magazine by adminsekaione

e-Mag: August event in Japan

Toro Nagashi

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Another form of okuribi is toro nagashi, floating paper lanterns. These paper lanterns have lighted candles inside, and people float them on a river to guide their ancestors’ souls down the river and off to the sea. There are different ways to practice toro nagashi, according to each locale.

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O-bon

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Most Japanese celebrate O-bon, from August 13th to 15th. According to Buddhist tradition, the souls of one’s ancestors return to this world during this time of year. To guide the souls to their home, a “horse” is made of summer vegetables, and a fire called mukaebi is lit and placed in front of the gate at each household. During O-bon a Buddhist monk pays a visit to each temple member’s house to chant a sutra, which is a part of each temple member’s house to chant a sutra , which is a part of the Buddhist religious service. Okuribi is a fire lit on August 16th to send the souls off to the world of the dead.

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Bon Odori

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Bon odori, folk dancing, is held in many communities all over the country during O-bon season. Men and women, young and old, are clad in yukata (summer cotton kimono), and dance to the music in the circle around the yagura (a standing stage). Each locale has its own traditional style of bon odori.

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Daimonji

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People light huge send-off fires on five mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto. Among these the one called “Daimonji,” which has the shape of the Chinese character ?(pronounced as “dai” and meaning “large.”), is the most famous. At eight o’clock in the evening of August 16th, fires are set on Mt. Nyoigatake, and huge Chinese character “dai” appears on the dark slope of the mountain. Five other send-off fires on four mountains are lit one by one to form different patterns.

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Homecoming

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Many people who work in large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka come from hometowns in other parts of Japan. New Year’s (O-sho-gatsu) and O-bon have been two important occasions for Japanese families to get together; thus, long lines of cars, sometimes up to 50-60 kilometers, are formed on major freeways and highways. Airports and train stations are equally crowded.

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O-bon Holidays

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Many shops and restaurants as well as offices are closed during O-bon. Office districts in Tokyo, usually crowded with businessmen in a hurry, become deserted this time. Many people return to their hometowns; others go to resort areas or travel overseas.

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Anniversaries of the Atomic Bombing

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At the end of World War ?, two atomics bombs were dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the American military forces. There were the first and only cases in the history of mankind that atomic bombs were used. It is established that 90,000 – 120,000 people died in or within four months of the explosion at Hiroshima; at Nagasaki, it was 60,000 – 70,000. Thousands more who survived the blasts have died from its effects, or are still suffering today from radiation poisoning and other injuries.

Determined that such tragedy will never be repeated, many people gather on August 6th, 9th and 15th at Atomic Bomb Memorial Parks in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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Peace Marches

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Rallies and demonstration marches for world peace are held on the anniversary of the end of the World War ?.

The All-Japan High School Baseball Tournament was first held in 1915 in Osaka. Except during the war years from 1942 to 1946, the tournament has been held every year and attracts many baseball fans throughout the country. In 1915, only 73 high schools (then 5-year middle schools) participated. The number of participating schools has steadily increase and in 1991, 4,046 schools competed in the tournament.