YOSAKOI1(2004 August at Enomoto Primary School Osaka)

Yosakoi2(2004 August at Enomoto Primary School Osaka)

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). This is comparable to the Day of the Dead or Halloween.

Bon Odori Dancers (2004 August at Imazu primary school in Osaka)

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.

Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place candle lit lanterns into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival.

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".

In the time of Shaka; 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.

External Links: Bon Dance: Description of various Bon Dance styles and resources. (http://www.bonodori.net/E/index.html)

See also: Japanese calendar, Japanese culture

This article or section should be merged with Bon Odori