Obon is a three-day holiday set aside each summer to honor deceased ancestors. During this period, family members celebrate the return of ancestral spirits by gathering together, feasting, and praying.

Some label the events of Obon as ancestor worship. But “worship,” in the sense that many Westerners think of the term and associate it with Christian rites, is something of a misnomer pertaining to this three-day holiday. A more appropriate term for Obon rituals might be ancestor veneration. The practice of honoring ancestors has been around for centuries, and Okinawans adopted it sometime around the 1300s. (Though the concept may be foreign to many Americans and Europeans, it continues throughout Latin America and Asia—consider Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos.) Many Okinawans believe that after people die, they continue to exist in a spiritual world, where they sometimes exert powerful influences over the living.

The week prior to Obon finds many family members (especially females) busy with preparations. Of foremost importance is cleaning the butsudan. This family altar, which is passed down from generation to generation and usually is kept at the home of the eldest male son, is a wooden cabinet with doors. Inside are several platforms that hold small wooden plaques containing the names of family members who have passed away. As the butsudan will the center of a great deal of attention during Obon, it is dusted and polished to a high shine. In The entire house usually receives similar treatment in preparation of hosting relatives from near and far. Additionally, relatives also sweep their family tombs and clear them of debris (foliage, weeds, and so on) that may have accumulated during the past months or year.

Obon begins with Unke (also spelled Unkeh, meaning “welcoming day”). On the evening of this first day of celebration, families hang glowing lanterns outside or place candles along exterior pathways to guide spirits back home. They also open the doors of the house to allow spirits to enter. Bowls of water are placed at the entrance so that spirits can wash their feet after their long journey. The butsudan is adorned with candles and flowers and overflows with offerings for the spirits, which often include rice, fruit, sugarcane, tea, and sake or awamori. (Some families also arrange a table filled with various dishes, possibly including the favorite dishes of the deceased, at the doorway as an immediate welcome to the spirits.)

The second day, Nakanohi (“middle day”), finds many of the living spending time praying to ancestors at the family butsudan, where as many as three meals may be served throughout the day. Prayers vary from general communications to requests for forgiveness for not praying sooner. Though some may offer individual prayers, some families pray together. Additionally, family members may move about during the day, traveling from one family butsudan to another, bearing traditional gifts such as sake, incense, and rice.

The final day, Űkui, serves to escort the sprits back their world. To accomplish this task, families throw lavish farewell dinners and prepare portions in boxes. They light incense and offer prayers to their ancestors, asking for protection and forgiveness for any perceived neglect. Some families throw an adanomi (the pineapple-looking fruit of the adan tree) out the door to signal to ancestors that it is time to return to the spiritual world. Another custom is the burning of paper spirit money, or uchikabi, so that ancestors have no needs upon returning to their realm.

As a final escort to the departing spirits, troupes of eisa dancers move throughout the streets and alleys of each town. The dances, which incorporate drums of all sizes, have roots in traditional Buddhist prayers. Dances begin after the sun sets and continue into the early morning hours. (For more information about eisa, see the eisa article in the Cultural Icons section.)

Obon is celebrated throughout the Japan, but the holiday’s customs differ slightly on Okinawa. The most notable difference is the dates on which the festival is held. Mainland Japan celebrates Obon from August 13 to 15 each year, while the Okinawa festival dates are set according to the lunar calendar and thus change from year to year. Additionally, Obon festivities in mainland Japan often culminate with Bon odori (dances) and the floating of lanterns, while Okinawan festivities center conclude with all-night eisa dancing.

Though the religious nature of the holiday may be distant to some, for most the festival is an opportunity to reunite with family.

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