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Quick Facts : Festival of Souls
| Date: July 13 |
Type: Regional |
Also Called:
Obon |
| Celebrations:
Bon dance |
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Image Courtesy: PhotoXpress |
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The Festival of Souls also referred as
Obon, is a Buddhist celebration, celebrated
during July in Japan and August in China.
This is not an official national holiday.
The Japanese believe that during this period
the souls of their ancestors return to their
homes on earth. This is the time when people
can guide and help their ancestors' spirits
to find peace.
During this festival of period 3 days,
families hang lanterns outside their houses
and beside the graves to welcome the souls
to home, variety of food are offered to the
souls of ancestors. During this period
people gather for outdoor dances known as
Bon dance.
There is a story behind this festival, there
was a Buddhist monk named Mokuren. After his
mother’s death, he had a vision that her
mother’s soul is not in peace because of the
life she lived on earth. He asked his Guru
how he could help his mother. His Guru told
him he had to perform good deeds within the
community in order to balance his mother’s
bad deeds so that her soul could get peace.
Mokuren worked as per his Guru’s advice and
when he realized that his mother's soul was
now at peace due to his good deeds, he broke
into a joyful dance of relief that is known
as the Bon dance. |
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Other holidays celebrated in Japan
| New Year's Day |
Coming of Age Day |
| National Foundation
Day |
Hina Matsuri (Doll
Festival) |
| White Day |
Spring Equinox |
| Showa Day |
Constitution
Memorial Day |
| Greenery Day &
National Holiday |
Children's Day |
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Festival of Souls (solar date) |
Bridge Public
holiday |
| Autumn Equinox Day |
Sports Day |
| Culture Day |
Labor Thanksgiving
Day |
| Emperor's Birthday |
Christmas Day |
| Omisoka |
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