When I was little, my family was stationed in Japan and had an apartment off-base. Not long after we moved, we took a walk around the neighborhood and noticed a small festival. I saw some people dancing in a circle and wanted to dance with them. The neighbors smiled and laughed and were very encouraging. It wasn't until many years later when I found the pictures my parents took that I realized it was the Obon festival. 😊
In Mexico we celebrate “Dia de los Muertos” which is kind of like Obon. For us it happens November 2 every year. We make food and altars with pictures of the family members that where lost. The food tends to be favorite foods that the dead use to eat when alive. We place some of these foods on the altar as an offering to our dead relatives so they can enjoy after crossing over to our world. We decorate their graves and say stories about our relative. It’s a time to be with family and enjoy a lot of good memories.
Ooh, yes! I am from Texas and there is an enormous presence of Mexican (amongst others like Czech) culture here because of the large Mexican population, so many Mexican celebrations, traditions and culture are also celebrated widely by Texans who are also not of Mexican decent. Cinco de Mayo, for example, is celebrated in schools, in businesses, and everywhere else. Even those who aren't familiar with the meaning or purpose of certain celebrations still celebrate. There's a term "Tex-Mex" that you might have possibly heard before. That's the blend of Mexican and Texan cultures, so things are sometimes done in a way unique to Mexicans in Texas, compared to those outside of Texas. I have never personally participated in Dia de Los Muertos, but I love seeing it on TV. It has such an important meaning and such beautiful ways to celebrate.
@@gyounce1 Fellow Texan here, in the southern parts of the state where I live, it's next to impossible to not find some Mexican influence; which makes sense given the state's history. And I as I was watching the video I couldn't help but think of all the times my family and others would celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and how these two were nearly identical. It's kinda weird to see how despite some cultures next to never meeting like Mexican, Native American, and Texan on one hand, and Japanese on the other have such eerily similar almost exact same customs and traditions.
I’m an English teacher in Japan and I find that the children in my class don’t celebrate Japanese holidays. I get excited when days like Tanabata and Obon come around, but none of the kids even care. They can’t tell me what these holidays are about, but they love Western holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Valentines Day. What is that? In America, I tell them, we celebrate every holiday as hard as we can. We have parades, BBQs, any excuse to party and we’ll take it. I mean look at Memorial Day, a day where we think about all of the soldiers who died in wars, and we are drinking beers and BBQing on the beach and swimming. I just find it strange that Japanese children do not celebrate any of their own holidays.they don’t even get excited about them at all. Take Tanabata. It’s a time when you write down wish and hang it on a bamboo branch. No one hardly does that) in Japan. But if it was an American holiday, for example, every family would set up a bamboo branch in their house, sort of like a Christmas Tree and a few weeks before Tanabata, children would write their wish (for a present) and hang it on the branch. Then the parents would read the wish and go out and buy the item. Then on July 7th (Tanabata) the child will awaken to find a present below the bamboo branch that Tanabata Tony left during the night. In America, Tanabata would be Christmas in July lol. But in Japan, I had a bamboo branch set up in the classroom and had all of the children write down their wish and hang it up and at the end of class I would show the parents what their children wished for. Some of the kids wanted simple gifts, like a toy car, or something, but the parents straight up were like, “I’m not going to buy that.” I was shocked that even the parents have no interest in Japanese holidays.
Sounds like things like Arbor day where yeah it a thing but not alot of people celebrate it but its several holidays Or they find america stuff more interesting
+@@megshimatsu8615 And the largest Japanese population outside Japan are homed in America, because so many Japanese moved to Hawaii and California in the 1860s or 1880s and New York in the 1870s having largest Japanese population, do you think, believe or know the largest Japanese population outside Japan is in the US when many loved America or learns English as a perfect match too?
The honoring of returning ancestors is such a beautiful tradition. It’s so interesting that this idea of ancestors returning once a year is found in multiple places around the world like Dios de Los Muertos.
Greetings. A small correction: it is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead Ones). Dios de los Muertos means God of the Dead Ones. Sounds like a Heavy Metal band. 😀
In the US, Obon is usually treated as a sort of "open house" for Buddhist temples to open their doors to the public in a secular fashion in addition to the religious aspects for temple members. Also, I didn't realize until I was in my 40s that there were different types of dances depending on region, eg, the coal digger's dance, or fisherman's dance.
Obon is a major event on the Buddhist calendar along with Hanamatsuri and Higan. Obon is where temples tend to have events leading up to the dancing, which closes out the day. That's the "open house" vibe you're speaking of. Some temples hold Obon on Saturday; others on Sunday, and others on both days. There are a lot of temples in Los Angeles and the Bay Area (Oakland-SF) so it is possible to make your way around the various temples and dances, so the Obon season in these areas actually runs from the beginning of July (or the last weekend of June depending on the arrangement) to the second weekend in August. The largest Obon outside of Japan is the San Jose Betsuin Obon, where the block the temple is on is one large dancing space and around 1,000 people dance each of the two nights. Even the dance practices the weeks before the Obon have 200 people there.
@@leronharrison1110 I really miss obon. I'm a Japanese American from Cali and I was so sad when I saw there wasn't going to be a whole lot of obon celebrations this year. Hopefully next year!!
"The Japanese are like everyone else, only more so." - Dan Carlin I have been watching your videos recently and this quote and compliment came to mind so I posted to what is at this time your most recent video.
In Bulgarian folk belief, the dead are allowed to leave their graves on Easter Sunday to visit the living but have to return on Spasovden. Women visit the cemetery, pour wine or water over the graves of deceased relatives, on their way back home no one should be talking as this might disturb the spirits. When Spasovden come the windows and doors are opened wide so the spirits can return to their graves. Spasovden is also a day when people pray for rain to make a good harvest.
The Japanese association in the city were I live, here in Paraguay, used to celebrate 夏祭り(summer festival) with ぼんおどり(obon dancing) every year in late November or early December before the Corona. Anyone was allowed to join the dancing, I always used to join. Enjoyed it very much, it was an event that I looked forward to every year
In Germany the closest thing would be "Totensonntag", a day where people visit the graves of those close to them. Though there may be some small public memorial services held at graves of war victims or such, in general it's a very private and individual holiday. I very much like the Obon tradition of coming together and celebrating in spirit with those that have passed from this world. And I enjoy the dances a lot, been learning different ones for some years now. They are a lovely way of bringing people together.
At Morikami Gardens (the Japanese garden and museum in South Florida, USA) they celebrate Obon by having the traditional dances you mentioned in your video, they have a taiko drum show, and you can purchase a lantern to write a message to a deceased loved one. Later they light up those lanterns and put all of them on the water float away. If you couldn't purchase a lantern, the other option they had was to write your message on a piece of paper that would be folded, put on a small boat and the boat was lit on fire in the water as the grand finale after all the lanterns were out. Afterwards they would close the night out with fireworks. Going to this festival in the past was so exciting and beautiful for me, the lanterns would always make me cry because of all the messages being sent to those who we have lost. It's sad but heartwarming to see so many people remember those who they have lost. This really is a beautiful holiday. ❤
The Japanese community in my city organizes this festival every year. I gone to the first one they did, in 2007. It was a very nice event, so it grew every year. I actually stopped going because the place became too crowded. It’s an event where everybody in the city at least think about going. Some years ago they started accepting people with no Japanese ancestry as voluntaries in the staff. I realized when I saw my 1,88m female friend in a kimono instructing people on how to dance. Sorry for my bad English. I’m not a native speaker.
@@akale2620 In some countries, they use commas instead of periods for decimal points. I was surprised when I first saw the comma system in France. Maybe the comment was from Brazil or some other South American country.
["Omake" talk of this video/Sub channel “Shogo’s Podcast”] I need your opinions again... Do we need to preserve "just for form" festivals? th-cam.com/video/Tjk1Njib014/w-d-xo.html The New Year season is very important, but mid-August when we celebrate obon is the next most important holiday season in Japan. I’ve actually received a lot of requests for a video about obon, and it was very difficult because of its long history that’s related to religion, as well as each region having its unique way of celebrating. I did my best to try to wrap everything up in one video, so I hope you can have fun learning about it! ・ In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips upon traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content! Please check out the description box for more videos recommended for you! ▼Join our Membership▼ th-cam.com/channels/n7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVw.htmljoin ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos th-cam.com/play/UUMOn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVw.html -Weekly live stream -Priority reply to comments Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing. ▼Sub channel “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ th-cam.com/channels/ZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA.html The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail） Thank you again very much for watching!
You made an awesome video Shogo! and please, don't apologise too much, its too over the top Japanese! I am worried this long obon weekend about covid spread here in Japan. I hope everyone stay at home and relax. Hopefully next year can have community odori
Halloween in Ireland. Pagan times believes that this was the barrier between this world and the next was at its thinnest, allowing demons and the Lord of the Underworld to cross over. To ward off the evil spirits, people dressed in frightening costumes and lit bonfires, traditions that are kept alive to this day. Then All Saints Day on November 1st & All Souls Day on November 2nd. Closest thing to Obon here in Ireland.
It's very similar to Day of the dead from Mexico but without face painting Calaveras. I would also point out the similarities to Samhain which is the precursor to Halloween but these are in fall and also involve dressing up in costumes not honoring deceased relatives. The unique things that all these holidays share is that they involve offerings, lanterns & bonfires, spirits, harvest and merriment.
In the USA, Bon or OBON is the largest cultural festival celebrated at the Japanese Buddhist Temples. The Jodo Shinshu Temples in the USA have really owned it as a community event over a weekend. The Jodo Shu Temples in Hawaii also have huge festivals. The temples coordinate with each other so every weekend through July and August someone can attend a Bon festival. In the USA, it is also a big fundraising event for most Temples, there are Food stalls, Games, Temple tours and talks on Buddhism, and in the evening dancing. The religious service is usually held the weekend before the festival. Bon or Obon in the USA is a really fun cultural event that invites the whole multi ethnic community to visit the Japanese American community.
In India there is a time period called " pritpaksha" when family members make all the food that their parents(ancestors) liked when they were alive and serve it to the crows.
In the Philippines, we have a holiday which I think is also celebrated in Mexico. Its called All saints' day and All souls' day which is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd. It's basically like Obon but in a religious sense because churches will have masses and people go to the cemeteries to visit their past loved ones and have picnics there. Though I've only had a picnic in cemeteries just once, It was crowded, to say the least.
in the town of Haleiwa on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, the Obon festival ending with the lantern festival was opened up to the general public to celebrate, enjoy traditional foods (best mochi I have ever had made traditionally), enjoy and participate in the dances and so on...wonderful spirit of the day...
In the Philippines we have 2 days holiday wich in November 1-2, all Saints day and all souls day where people visit the cemetery to remember their loved ones and place food on the grave. It is also a day where family gathers, sort of a family reunion.
In Malaysia, we have a number of Japanese expats living here. Every year in July there's the bon odori festival here which is Obon and is organized by the Japanese Council. I had lots of un with my friends from my Japanese club in Uni. I do hope to visit Japan's Obon festival.
The Finnish version is Pyhäinmiestenpäivä (literal translation Holy Men's Day, though I guess All Hallows' Eve is the more internationally understood phrase). We take candles to the graves of our family members and friends that day, so when the night falls the graveyard looks like a sea of candles. It is on the Saturday that lands between 31.10 - 6.11. This year it's going to be on 6.11.
This sounds like such a wonderful festival to attend. I want to visit Japan and have for some years but I hadn't heard of Obon until today. Thank you for telling us about it Shogo.
Dances are also held at Shinto shrines even though obon is mostly a Buddhist thing. I saw (and participated in) "bon-odori" events in July for the Mitama-matsuri at the Yasukuni-jinja in Tokyo, and for Motomiya-sai at the Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, among others.
In Italy we celebrate Ferragosto on August 15th, and this occurrence originates from an ancient roman holiday called Feriae Augusti (which means "Augustus's rest" and was introduced by the emperor himself). On this day we usually spend time with friends and families and special events and/or local fairs are held. In seaside locations, fireworks shows are traditionally performed at night.
I spent August of 2019 in Japan, and SPECIFICALLY stayed in Kyoto for the duration of Obon! If you recall, that year Typhoon Krosa Washed out the 15th. I was so bummed. I was looking forward to dancing to the pulse of the daiko! At least I got to see the gozan-okuribi. The weather cleared out by that morning, so the sending fires were a go! I was staying near the Imperial Palace, only a block away from Kamogawa, so I was able to catch the daimonji from the Nijo Dori bridge...As a practicing pagan I also have great love for pagan religions of various cultures, like Shinto and Indigenous American spirituality. You better believe I made my rounds to various shrines like Inari Taisha, Matsuoo Taisha, and well, at least a handful of others. As a rule, throughout my entire trip, if I happened upon any shrine while walking through the streets, I made sure to pay my respects. :) I can't wait to return to Japan, albeit NOT during the summer. The day I climbed to the top of Inari it was a sunny, highly humid 36C. BRUTAL...but TOTALLY worth it. Hope you are having an excellent matsuri this year!!!
Obon season is also very big in Hawaii! Instead of specific days, every temple will schedule their own event on a different weekend from June - August so you can go to many in the season. The dancing, games, and festival nature is much the same.
Reminds me of Dia de los Muertos (1st Nov) y Día de todos los Santos (2nd Nov). In Bolivia, first day we hold candles and Leavenworth Tanta Wawas (bread) and licuor to the tombs of our dead relatives, also eat and drink and talk with them; so as long as we remember them, they're still with us. Second day we go to Mass to pray for their souls to be in heaven and the anonymous saints living between us (that's why it's"All Saint's Day)
Unfortunately when I spent the summer of Heisei 16 in Japan, I had to leave right before Obon season. But I was able to learn an obon dance in college when I studied folk dancing, and I found the experience deeply moving.
I would also recommend the obon dance in tsuwano for tourists to see. It’s a special one with a history of samurai warriors disguising themselves as dancers for four years before hiding weapons under their costumes in the fifth year and taking over the local castle. Nowadays, anyone can dress up in the costumes and dance in the parade.
Not sure if I posted here before. So I apologize for repeating myself. This is very interesting video. And I hope you have some more videos on the spiritual aspects of Japan such as about Shinto and the folklore o Yokai. In Europe and America we have Halloween which is based on Samhain which is a pagan practice in Europe that honored both spirits of the dead as well as Fae folk. I myself practice eclectic Wicca and honor a Greek Goddess named Hekate whom was honored in Ancient Greece during the month of November in which they honored the dead. I won't go into details about other traditions such as held in Ireland about carving turnips to ward off the dead. Which lead to pumpkin carving . I'm only giving my point of view. And hopefully won't draw any criticisms as before. Again great video. I hope you have more about folklore of Japan. 🙏🙏🙏
In America 🇺🇸 the original way to celebrate 4th of July was to step outside and fire one ammunition round into the sky. It was to symbolize our struggle for independence. Now we do hanabi. By the way I've always wanted to go to one of these so thank for this amazing video
Hi Shogo. I must say, Japan is so rich in culture and traditions that it makes me quite envious! It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. Well, I live in Uruguay, on South America. So, we don't really have much of these celebrations here. We do have a deceased day on November 2nd like mexicans does, but all we actually do is to visit cemeteries, do some praying and leave flower before resuming our usual work day. It's not really a significant date. Take note that we were a spanish colony that became independent almost 200 years ago and our population was mostly formed by immigration waves, so our culture is in fact a sum of mostly occidental cultures primarily from Spain and Italy. And because of the desire to prevent cultural issues between migrants, there are no official ritual traditions on this country. If you are ever curious about how life is on this region of the world, feel free to ask. Also, I have one related question for you to investigate and broaden your curiosity. It is known that due to this immigration waves on South America, there were two significant japanese immigrations to Brazil and Peru. So, my question would be, how do these japanese festivities are lived by japanese and japanese descendants in these countries?
I'm Brazilian Japanese (my family is Japanese, I was born and raised in Brazil), and we have a significant Japanese community here in Brazil... in São Paulo State's countryside towns with considerable Japanese population, we have Bon Odori festivals, but it's on weekends close to November 2nd because it's the "Deceased Day". There are some traditional style musicians who often play on several of those local festivals, so they can't happen all on the same day. I mean, at least before the pandemics, this didn't happen last year and it's still not safe so I don't expect to have it this year either.
The Obon Festival in Utah is a way for the Temples to involve their communities and introduce those communities to the culture. It's also a great way for revenue. Sadly, we didn't have community Obon Festivals in 2020 or 2021 due to covid.
Sounds a little like the bonfire nights in Britain. From what I read it's from the druids' ritual memorializing their ancestors and memorializing a rebel who was executed, but it's mostly to have fun now with kids wearing masks of the rebel and chasing other kids around. I hope someone who is more knowledgeable of this can speak to it more, please.
Traditional Halloween ( Samhain- Celtic) on the 31st of October we light a bonfire and have a makeshift "alter" with pictures of our ancestors and their favorite foods. Around the bonfire most people eat, drink and be merry., Or if the people are from an earth based religion, we play music and dance around it with prayer and other rituals. There is also food and drink.
I just wanted to say I get to learn more about Japanese culture from your videos than any other source. I am interested because my mother (deceased) is Japanese.
PS. I have been to a wonderful Obon festival in California, with Taiko drumming, ikebana exhibit, bonsai exhibit, games and music and of course dancing with a little lesson for us gaijen. There were stalls with Japanese goods and foods and a good time was enjoyed by many.
Thank-you for doing this video. I love Obon, and where I live, in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are many to choose from. But my favorite, for many years, has been the Bon Odori at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple. It's relatively small scale but I always enjoy the dancing and the community atmosphere. It would have taken place this very evening, but was cancelled again this year due to Covid-19. I really miss it. It is the highlight of my Summer, and always marks the ever faster passing of another year. I love the video you linked to the Tokyo Odori and recognize many of the same songs (and dances), and even some of the same recordings used here, year after year. Most begin with my favorite, "Bon Odori Uta". I would love to experience Obon in Japan some day.
4:28 So that's similar Greece's River Styx from the Olympian myth. 5:57 Like a spiritual rental car service. 11:45 Makes sense. Ooooh, a typhoon. Stay safe out there.
9:37 for dry, hoppy beers, you're definitely correct. Kirin Ichiban and Sapporo, for example, hit the spot in that regard. But I prefer Sam Adams summer ales for their well-balanced profiles and slightly sweet taste, definitely what the doctor ordered when it comes to mid/late summer refreshments
Like Día de Muertos in Mexico, in theory non mexicans cannot celebrate it, but I personally think anyone can rememorate and honor his / her ancestors in the way we do on Día de los Muertos.
I drunk ordered an iaido dogi from Tozando on the first day of Obon, which led to a delay in shipping, and I forgot I did it until the shipping confirmation email came through 🤣
The most similar American holiday I can think of is Thanksgiving. It's supposedly about "giving Thanks" and honoring that one time the Native Americans helped early settlers, but it's really a chance to take Thursday off and visit family. There is usually a big meal featuring Turkey, stuffing, and autumn harvest fruits. I think the Cornucopia (sp?) (A woven cone-shape filled with fruits and veggies) is supposed to be table decorations, but I think I saw it in my grandmother's house like once.
My absolute favorite Holiday becuase o can Honor my Brothers Spirit that day! however in America i was told we have to if u celebrate this it must be done a month in advance if Bon is 14th Of August that means i would Make offerings and pray at my Local Shofuso Shrine on tye 14th of July Yes!...
Thank you for the insight, I plan on taking a trip to Japan next year and your channel is definitely helping with that. I wonder though, would you recommend going in the summer or the spring?
Please don't desactivate the subs, a lot of latín América fans watch your vídeos and sadly don't have the total understand of the english lenguage, thanks
Thank you for explaining about obon. This festival sure sounds so interesting. Wish I could go there... And Obon did held at some places in Malaysia, but I forgot which state... Due to Covid-19, the event was cancelled. Oh... by the way, I really want to know what is Tanabata and what people will do during Tanabata. I can't help but quite curious too...
Hey! Thanks for the heads up, but I would need some detailed plans around Kyoto. Where and when should I be from 13-15 August? :) I can't find any information about this part...
i know obon is very important. i am scared this year. i hope people are not traveling and staying safe and not spreading covid. lets see later the coming week the covid number infections
Hi, Shogo! I'm sorry if I skipped your video, but have you reviewed the movie Silence? I would like to watch your point of view about the movie. Thank you.
it would also be good shogo you explain statement of emergency. and people shouldn't be traveling or doing these things right now. hopefully next year can be more typical
Are these festivals the same festivals as when a shrine is carried around a city? I was talking with someone in the comments of a video for Babymetal's "Megitsune," and I mentioned how a Japanese friend of mine says that it's a festival song due to the side vocals (Sore! Sore! Sore!). I was linked to footage of one of those festivals, and while I found it fascinating, I can't recall what that type of festival was called.
When I was little, my family was stationed in Japan and had an apartment off-base. Not long after we moved, we took a walk around the neighborhood and noticed a small festival. I saw some people dancing in a circle and wanted to dance with them. The neighbors smiled and laughed and were very encouraging. It wasn't until many years later when I found the pictures my parents took that I realized it was the Obon festival. 😊
How neat! I'm so happy that you were able to enjoy yourself. That's sounds like so much fun!
In Mexico we celebrate “Dia de los Muertos” which is kind of like Obon. For us it happens November 2 every year. We make food and altars with pictures of the family members that where lost. The food tends to be favorite foods that the dead use to eat when alive. We place some of these foods on the altar as an offering to our dead relatives so they can enjoy after crossing over to our world. We decorate their graves and say stories about our relative. It’s a time to be with family and enjoy a lot of good memories.
Ooh, yes! I am from Texas and there is an enormous presence of Mexican (amongst others like Czech) culture here because of the large Mexican population, so many Mexican celebrations, traditions and culture are also celebrated widely by Texans who are also not of Mexican decent. Cinco de Mayo, for example, is celebrated in schools, in businesses, and everywhere else. Even those who aren't familiar with the meaning or purpose of certain celebrations still celebrate. There's a term "Tex-Mex" that you might have possibly heard before. That's the blend of Mexican and Texan cultures, so things are sometimes done in a way unique to Mexicans in Texas, compared to those outside of Texas. I have never personally participated in Dia de Los Muertos, but I love seeing it on TV. It has such an important meaning and such beautiful ways to celebrate.
@@gyounce1 Fellow Texan here, in the southern parts of the state where I live, it's next to impossible to not find some Mexican influence; which makes sense given the state's history. And I as I was watching the video I couldn't help but think of all the times my family and others would celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and how these two were nearly identical. It's kinda weird to see how despite some cultures next to never meeting like Mexican, Native American, and Texan on one hand, and Japanese on the other have such eerily similar almost exact same customs and traditions.
@@xeroussera9128 thats bcz monks traveled all over Asia,Eurasia and south America to spread buddhism
@@privilegedindiansrworsthum8408couldn't agree more, Pattidana is basically the concept for these festivals
I’m an English teacher in Japan and I find that the children in my class don’t celebrate Japanese holidays. I get excited when days like Tanabata and Obon come around, but none of the kids even care. They can’t tell me what these holidays are about, but they love Western holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Valentines Day. What is that? In America, I tell them, we celebrate every holiday as hard as we can. We have parades, BBQs, any excuse to party and we’ll take it. I mean look at Memorial Day, a day where we think about all of the soldiers who died in wars, and we are drinking beers and BBQing on the beach and swimming. I just find it strange that Japanese children do not celebrate any of their own holidays.they don’t even get excited about them at all.
Take Tanabata. It’s a time when you write down wish and hang it on a bamboo branch. No one hardly does that) in Japan. But if it was an American holiday, for example, every family would set up a bamboo branch in their house, sort of like a Christmas Tree and a few weeks before Tanabata, children would write their wish (for a present) and hang it on the branch. Then the parents would read the wish and go out and buy the item. Then on July 7th (Tanabata) the child will awaken to find a present below the bamboo branch that Tanabata Tony left during the night. In America, Tanabata would be Christmas in July lol. But in Japan, I had a bamboo branch set up in the classroom and had all of the children write down their wish and hang it up and at the end of class I would show the parents what their children wished for. Some of the kids wanted simple gifts, like a toy car, or something, but the parents straight up were like, “I’m not going to buy that.” I was shocked that even the parents have no interest in Japanese holidays.
Sounds like things like Arbor day where yeah it a thing but not alot of people celebrate it but its several holidays Or they find america stuff more interesting
Just proves how Americanized Japanese society has become.
+@@megshimatsu8615 And the largest Japanese population outside Japan are homed in America, because so many Japanese moved to Hawaii and California in the 1860s or 1880s and New York in the 1870s having largest Japanese population, do you think, believe or know the largest Japanese population outside Japan is in the US when many loved America or learns English as a perfect match too?
The honoring of returning ancestors is such a beautiful tradition. It’s so interesting that this idea of ancestors returning once a year is found in multiple places around the world like Dios de Los Muertos.
Greetings. A small correction: it is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead Ones). Dios de los Muertos means God of the Dead Ones. Sounds like a Heavy Metal band. 😀
@@MariaMartinez-researcher thank you! 🙏 I’m sorry! 🙇♀️
You were born to be a teacher. We are lucky. Thank you sharing your time with us.
In the US, Obon is usually treated as a sort of "open house" for Buddhist temples to open their doors to the public in a secular fashion in addition to the religious aspects for temple members. Also, I didn't realize until I was in my 40s that there were different types of dances depending on region, eg, the coal digger's dance, or fisherman's dance.
Obon is a major event on the Buddhist calendar along with Hanamatsuri and Higan. Obon is where temples tend to have events leading up to the dancing, which closes out the day. That's the "open house" vibe you're speaking of. Some temples hold Obon on Saturday; others on Sunday, and others on both days. There are a lot of temples in Los Angeles and the Bay Area (Oakland-SF) so it is possible to make your way around the various temples and dances, so the Obon season in these areas actually runs from the beginning of July (or the last weekend of June depending on the arrangement) to the second weekend in August. The largest Obon outside of Japan is the San Jose Betsuin Obon, where the block the temple is on is one large dancing space and around 1,000 people dance each of the two nights. Even the dance practices the weeks before the Obon have 200 people there.
@@leronharrison1110 I really miss obon. I'm a Japanese American from Cali and I was so sad when I saw there wasn't going to be a whole lot of obon celebrations this year. Hopefully next year!!
@@alphazion4354 Yeah, I miss Cali Obon. I've danced at Obons up and down the West Coast and the one in Chicago. I miss them.
Now those cucumber and egg plant items in Animal Crossing makes sense! 👍👍👍
"The Japanese are like everyone else, only more so."
- Dan Carlin
I have been watching your videos recently and this quote and compliment came to mind so I posted to what is at this time your most recent video.
In Bulgarian folk belief, the dead are allowed to leave their graves on Easter Sunday to visit the living but have to return on Spasovden. Women visit the cemetery, pour wine or water over the graves of deceased relatives, on their way back home no one should be talking as this might disturb the spirits. When Spasovden come the windows and doors are opened wide so the spirits can return to their graves. Spasovden is also a day when people pray for rain to make a good harvest.
The Japanese association in the city were I live, here in Paraguay, used to celebrate 夏祭り(summer festival) with ぼんおどり(obon dancing) every year in late November or early December before the Corona.
Anyone was allowed to join the dancing, I always used to join. Enjoyed it very much, it was an event that I looked forward to every year
Hey! I'm from Paraguay? Is in La Colmena?
@@HyroKamui Ciudad del Este (エステ日本語学校)
In Germany the closest thing would be "Totensonntag", a day where people visit the graves of those close to them. Though there may be some small public memorial services held at graves of war victims or such, in general it's a very private and individual holiday.
I very much like the Obon tradition of coming together and celebrating in spirit with those that have passed from this world. And I enjoy the dances a lot, been learning different ones for some years now. They are a lovely way of bringing people together.
At Morikami Gardens (the Japanese garden and museum in South Florida, USA) they celebrate Obon by having the traditional dances you mentioned in your video, they have a taiko drum show, and you can purchase a lantern to write a message to a deceased loved one. Later they light up those lanterns and put all of them on the water float away. If you couldn't purchase a lantern, the other option they had was to write your message on a piece of paper that would be folded, put on a small boat and the boat was lit on fire in the water as the grand finale after all the lanterns were out. Afterwards they would close the night out with fireworks.
Going to this festival in the past was so exciting and beautiful for me, the lanterns would always make me cry because of all the messages being sent to those who we have lost. It's sad but heartwarming to see so many people remember those who they have lost.
This really is a beautiful holiday. ❤
The Japanese community in my city organizes this festival every year. I gone to the first one they did, in 2007. It was a very nice event, so it grew every year. I actually stopped going because the place became too crowded. It’s an event where everybody in the city at least think about going.
Some years ago they started accepting people with no Japanese ancestry as voluntaries in the staff. I realized when I saw my 1,88m female friend in a kimono instructing people on how to dance.
Sorry for my bad English. I’m not a native speaker.
Your English is just fine! Thank you for sharing.
Don't know where you are from, but 188m female is huge for most countries.
@@akale2620 In some countries, they use commas instead of periods for decimal points. I was surprised when I first saw the comma system in France. Maybe the comment was from Brazil or some other South American country.
@@tykep1009 even then that girl would be over 6 feet so quite a big one.
@@tykep1009 You are very detail-oriented :)
I'm from Brazil.
["Omake" talk of this video/Sub channel “Shogo’s Podcast”]
I need your opinions again... Do we need to preserve "just for form" festivals?
th-cam.com/video/Tjk1Njib014/w-d-xo.html
The New Year season is very important, but mid-August when we celebrate obon is the next most important holiday season in Japan.
I’ve actually received a lot of requests for a video about obon, and it was very difficult because of its long history that’s related to religion, as well as each region having its unique way of celebrating.
I did my best to try to wrap everything up in one video, so I hope you can have fun learning about it!
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You made an awesome video Shogo! and please, don't apologise too much, its too over the top Japanese! I am worried this long obon weekend about covid spread here in Japan. I hope everyone stay at home and relax. Hopefully next year can have community odori
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop was a fantastic movie that featured an Obon festival, I think. Absolutely adorable movie.
Halloween in Ireland. Pagan times believes that this was the barrier between this world and the next was at its thinnest, allowing demons and the Lord of the Underworld to cross over. To ward off the evil spirits, people dressed in frightening costumes and lit bonfires, traditions that are kept alive to this day.
Then All Saints Day on November 1st & All Souls Day on November 2nd. Closest thing to Obon here in Ireland.
Scotland too! Edinborough's fire festival is fantastic!
It's very similar to Day of the dead from Mexico but without face painting Calaveras. I would also point out the similarities to Samhain which is the precursor to Halloween but these are in fall and also involve dressing up in costumes not honoring deceased relatives. The unique things that all these holidays share is that they involve offerings, lanterns & bonfires, spirits, harvest and merriment.
Buddhist monks traveled everywhere to sprrad buddhism before d spread of Christianity or islam
Japanese summer beers are most definitely badass, I hope to view the gozan okuribi with my own eyes soon 👁👁
In the USA, Bon or OBON is the largest cultural festival celebrated at the Japanese Buddhist Temples. The Jodo Shinshu Temples in the USA have really owned it as a community event over a weekend. The Jodo Shu Temples in Hawaii also have huge festivals. The temples coordinate with each other so every weekend through July and August someone can attend a Bon festival. In the USA, it is also a big fundraising event for most Temples, there are Food stalls, Games, Temple tours and talks on Buddhism, and in the evening dancing. The religious service is usually held the weekend before the festival. Bon or Obon in the USA is a really fun cultural event that invites the whole multi ethnic community to visit the Japanese American community.
In India there is a time period called " pritpaksha" when family members make all the food that their parents(ancestors) liked when they were alive and serve it to the crows.
In the Philippines, we have a holiday which I think is also celebrated in Mexico. Its called All saints' day and All souls' day which is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd. It's basically like Obon but in a religious sense because churches will have masses and people go to the cemeteries to visit their past loved ones and have picnics there. Though I've only had a picnic in cemeteries just once, It was crowded, to say the least.
in the town of Haleiwa on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i, the Obon festival ending with the lantern festival was opened up to the general public to celebrate, enjoy traditional foods (best mochi I have ever had made traditionally), enjoy and participate in the dances and so on...wonderful spirit of the day...
In the Philippines we have 2 days holiday wich in November 1-2, all Saints day and all souls day where people visit the cemetery to remember their loved ones and place food on the grave. It is also a day where family gathers, sort of a family reunion.
In Malaysia, we have a number of Japanese expats living here. Every year in July there's the bon odori festival here which is Obon and is organized by the Japanese Council. I had lots of un with my friends from my Japanese club in Uni. I do hope to visit Japan's Obon festival.
Thank you for this detailed explanation of the Obon tradition. Thumbs up!
The Finnish version is Pyhäinmiestenpäivä (literal translation Holy Men's Day, though I guess All Hallows' Eve is the more internationally understood phrase). We take candles to the graves of our family members and friends that day, so when the night falls the graveyard looks like a sea of candles. It is on the Saturday that lands between 31.10 - 6.11. This year it's going to be on 6.11.
This sounds like such a wonderful festival to attend. I want to visit Japan and have for some years but I hadn't heard of Obon until today. Thank you for telling us about it Shogo.
You should go to Tokushima (old Awa ) , look up Awa odori (dance)
Dances are also held at Shinto shrines even though obon is mostly a Buddhist thing. I saw (and participated in) "bon-odori" events in July for the Mitama-matsuri at the Yasukuni-jinja in Tokyo, and for Motomiya-sai at the Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, among others.
In Italy we celebrate Ferragosto on August 15th, and this occurrence originates from an ancient roman holiday called Feriae Augusti (which means "Augustus's rest" and was introduced by the emperor himself).
On this day we usually spend time with friends and families and special events and/or local fairs are held. In seaside locations, fireworks shows are traditionally performed at night.
If you love sweating profusely, then Japan in August is the place to be. But it is and experience you will never forget. :)
I spent August of 2019 in Japan, and SPECIFICALLY stayed in Kyoto for the duration of Obon! If you recall, that year Typhoon Krosa Washed out the 15th. I was so bummed. I was looking forward to dancing to the pulse of the daiko! At least I got to see the gozan-okuribi. The weather cleared out by that morning, so the sending fires were a go! I was staying near the Imperial Palace, only a block away from Kamogawa, so I was able to catch the daimonji from the Nijo Dori bridge...As a practicing pagan I also have great love for pagan religions of various cultures, like Shinto and Indigenous American spirituality. You better believe I made my rounds to various shrines like Inari Taisha, Matsuoo Taisha, and well, at least a handful of others. As a rule, throughout my entire trip, if I happened upon any shrine while walking through the streets, I made sure to pay my respects. :) I can't wait to return to Japan, albeit NOT during the summer. The day I climbed to the top of Inari it was a sunny, highly humid 36C. BRUTAL...but TOTALLY worth it. Hope you are having an excellent matsuri this year!!!
Wow that would be an event to visit.
Obon season is also very big in Hawaii! Instead of specific days, every temple will schedule their own event on a different weekend from June - August so you can go to many in the season. The dancing, games, and festival nature is much the same.
I freaking love this guy
Reminds me of Dia de los Muertos (1st Nov) y Día de todos los Santos (2nd Nov). In Bolivia, first day we hold candles and Leavenworth Tanta Wawas (bread) and licuor to the tombs of our dead relatives, also eat and drink and talk with them; so as long as we remember them, they're still with us. Second day we go to Mass to pray for their souls to be in heaven and the anonymous saints living between us (that's why it's"All Saint's Day)
Unfortunately when I spent the summer of Heisei 16 in Japan, I had to leave right before Obon season. But I was able to learn an obon dance in college when I studied folk dancing, and I found the experience deeply moving.
I would also recommend the obon dance in tsuwano for tourists to see. It’s a special one with a history of samurai warriors disguising themselves as dancers for four years before hiding weapons under their costumes in the fifth year and taking over the local castle. Nowadays, anyone can dress up in the costumes and dance in the parade.
Not sure if I posted here before. So I apologize for repeating myself. This is very interesting video. And I hope you have some more videos on the spiritual aspects of Japan such as about Shinto and the folklore o Yokai. In Europe and America we have Halloween which is based on Samhain which is a pagan practice in Europe that honored both spirits of the dead as well as Fae folk. I myself practice eclectic Wicca and honor a Greek Goddess named Hekate whom was honored in Ancient Greece during the month of November in which they honored the dead. I won't go into details about other traditions such as held in Ireland about carving turnips to ward off the dead. Which lead to pumpkin carving . I'm only giving my point of view. And hopefully won't draw any criticisms as before. Again great video. I hope you have more about folklore of Japan. 🙏🙏🙏
I remember the Obon Dance in the castle of "Peace King" Shoashi in "Karate Kid. Part 2" :)
In America 🇺🇸 the original way to celebrate 4th of July was to step outside and fire one ammunition round into the sky. It was to symbolize our struggle for independence. Now we do hanabi. By the way I've always wanted to go to one of these so thank for this amazing video
I’m actually happy you covered this because my friend from Japan just told me about Obon just before it happened.
In Germany we have a day marked in our calander as "Totensonntag" Death sunday. It is a katholic festival in winter. Around November.
Hi Shogo. I must say, Japan is so rich in culture and traditions that it makes me quite envious! It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.
Well, I live in Uruguay, on South America. So, we don't really have much of these celebrations here. We do have a deceased day on November 2nd like mexicans does, but all we actually do is to visit cemeteries, do some praying and leave flower before resuming our usual work day. It's not really a significant date. Take note that we were a spanish colony that became independent almost 200 years ago and our population was mostly formed by immigration waves, so our culture is in fact a sum of mostly occidental cultures primarily from Spain and Italy. And because of the desire to prevent cultural issues between migrants, there are no official ritual traditions on this country.
If you are ever curious about how life is on this region of the world, feel free to ask.
Also, I have one related question for you to investigate and broaden your curiosity. It is known that due to this immigration waves on South America, there were two significant japanese immigrations to Brazil and Peru. So, my question would be, how do these japanese festivities are lived by japanese and japanese descendants in these countries?
Thank you so much.
I remember seeing the obon dance in Karate kid II movie with Mr. Miyagi and Daniel Larusso 🥋 and gorgeous Kumiko
Danke!
This means:
Thank you!
Sorry it automatically chose germam when i bought it. have a wonderful sunday and greetings from swizzerland.
This is very educational and I like it thank you.😊
I remember having a test on reading in college and it was about the oban festival and I got all of it right
I'm Brazilian Japanese (my family is Japanese, I was born and raised in Brazil), and we have a significant Japanese community here in Brazil... in São Paulo State's countryside towns with considerable Japanese population, we have Bon Odori festivals, but it's on weekends close to November 2nd because it's the "Deceased Day". There are some traditional style musicians who often play on several of those local festivals, so they can't happen all on the same day.
I mean, at least before the pandemics, this didn't happen last year and it's still not safe so I don't expect to have it this year either.
My birthday’s on August 11 double celebration!!!
Thanks for explaining Obon!!!! I really enjoy your videos!!!!!
The Obon Festival in Utah is a way for the Temples to involve their communities and introduce those communities to the culture. It's also a great way for revenue. Sadly, we didn't have community Obon Festivals in 2020 or 2021 due to covid.
Sounds a little like the bonfire nights in Britain. From what I read it's from the druids' ritual memorializing their ancestors and memorializing a rebel who was executed, but it's mostly to have fun now with kids wearing masks of the rebel and chasing other kids around. I hope someone who is more knowledgeable of this can speak to it more, please.
Buddhist monks have traveled all over Asia,South America to spread buddhism in the past
4th Comment in this video 😁 ! And very good information about the Obon festival 😉 👍🏻 !
Traditional Halloween ( Samhain- Celtic) on the 31st of October we light a bonfire and have a makeshift "alter" with pictures of our ancestors and their favorite foods.
Around the bonfire most people eat, drink and be merry., Or if the people are from an earth based religion, we play music and dance around it with prayer and other rituals. There is also food and drink.
I just wanted to say I get to learn more about Japanese culture from your videos than any other source. I am interested because my mother (deceased) is Japanese.
PS. I have been to a wonderful Obon festival in California, with Taiko drumming, ikebana exhibit, bonsai exhibit, games and music and of course dancing with a little lesson for us gaijen. There were stalls with Japanese goods and foods and a good time was enjoyed by many.
We have that festival here in the Japanese Comunity! They use as an opportunity to blend with the BRASILIANS
Oh the pokemon fun fact is so cool !
AHHH I made that pokemon connection the first time I heard of this festival!! Thanks for confirming it.
Thank-you for doing this video. I love Obon, and where I live, in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are many to choose from. But my favorite, for many years, has been the Bon Odori at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple. It's relatively small scale but I always enjoy the dancing and the community atmosphere. It would have taken place this very evening, but was cancelled again this year due to Covid-19. I really miss it. It is the highlight of my Summer, and always marks the ever faster passing of another year. I love the video you linked to the Tokyo Odori and recognize many of the same songs (and dances), and even some of the same recordings used here, year after year. Most begin with my favorite, "Bon Odori Uta". I would love to experience Obon in Japan some day.
4:28 So that's similar Greece's River Styx from the Olympian myth.
5:57 Like a spiritual rental car service.
11:45 Makes sense.
Ooooh, a typhoon. Stay safe out there.
Obon seem like a really nice holiday. I would love to experience it one day^^
So THAT'S what OBAN is. I just put an Oban brand shaft in my Taylormade SIM 2 MAX. 😂
9:37 for dry, hoppy beers, you're definitely correct. Kirin Ichiban and Sapporo, for example, hit the spot in that regard. But I prefer Sam Adams summer ales for their well-balanced profiles and slightly sweet taste, definitely what the doctor ordered when it comes to mid/late summer refreshments
We have one in slc Utah it is a nice time to go and see family
lol those mountain signal fires started with Kanji but turned into emoji somewhere down the line.
Most of this was cancelled or drastically reduced last year and again this year because of covid... Hopefully, next year...
I can't remember the name of the festival but there is one where they celebrate a drunken revelry over a new castle.
San Francisco Japan Town did with a mixed group of people ...
Like Día de Muertos in Mexico, in theory non mexicans cannot celebrate it, but I personally think anyone can rememorate and honor his / her ancestors in the way we do on Día de los Muertos.
I drunk ordered an iaido dogi from Tozando on the first day of Obon, which led to a delay in shipping, and I forgot I did it until the shipping confirmation email came through 🤣
Many coincidences with the ancient tradition in Mexico of "The day of the dead" El dia de los muertos, regards from México City.
The most similar American holiday I can think of is Thanksgiving. It's supposedly about "giving Thanks" and honoring that one time the Native Americans helped early settlers, but it's really a chance to take Thursday off and visit family.
There is usually a big meal featuring Turkey, stuffing, and autumn harvest fruits. I think the Cornucopia (sp?) (A woven cone-shape filled with fruits and veggies) is supposed to be table decorations, but I think I saw it in my grandmother's house like once.
Catholics have All Souls Day.
Gwen Ward - it's not the same. Americans don't worship the dead.
My absolute favorite Holiday becuase o can Honor my Brothers Spirit that day! however in America i was told we have to if u celebrate this it must be done a month in advance if Bon is 14th Of August that means i would Make offerings and pray at my Local Shofuso Shrine on tye 14th of July Yes!...
You missed the awesome fish lantern Oban festival in yanai
No, I don't think you stop traditional celebrations and traditional events. It is what makes us unique from the rest of the world.
How many of you first heard about the Obon Festival due to the "Karate Kid II" movie?
In southwest Louisiana for All Saints Day on November 1st we paint the grave of family members white. I believe it's specific to catholics
Thank you for the insight, I plan on taking a trip to Japan next year and your channel is definitely helping with that. I wonder though, would you recommend going in the summer or the spring?
YES, preserve nippon culture
In the Mexican community we do something similar it's called "dia de los muertos"
Please don't desactivate the subs, a lot of latín América fans watch your vídeos and sadly don't have the total understand of the english lenguage, thanks
Yay Fire Blast!!! :3
A lot of people here like hemp, too.
Doraemon introduce me to the festival 😅
👍
Thank you for explaining about obon. This festival sure sounds so interesting. Wish I could go there... And Obon did held at some places in Malaysia, but I forgot which state... Due to Covid-19, the event was cancelled.
Oh... by the way, I really want to know what is Tanabata and what people will do during Tanabata. I can't help but quite curious too...
Hey! Thanks for the heads up, but I would need some detailed plans around Kyoto. Where and when should I be from 13-15 August? :) I can't find any information about this part...
i know obon is very important. i am scared this year. i hope people are not traveling and staying safe and not spreading covid. lets see later the coming week the covid number infections
Hi, Shogo! I'm sorry if I skipped your video, but have you reviewed the movie Silence? I would like to watch your point of view about the movie. Thank you.
Keeep it up champ
Shogo, you are both kakkoi and kawaii at the same time. 💙
Very interesting will you please make a video about the samurai tokugawa ieasyu
Vídeo: posted 6 minutes ago
Your"very interesting" 2 minutes ago...
Lenght of the video: 15 min...
🙄
@@sralf1 I'm a member so I got one of the first notifications for the new video
it would also be good shogo you explain statement of emergency. and people shouldn't be traveling or doing these things right now. hopefully next year can be more typical
I wanna ask where you get your kimonos/dogi/haori. Is it an outfitter available outside of Japan?
Could you please do a video on nonalcoholic beverages in Japan?
Ramune is pretty popular. It's Japanese soda.
Pocari Sweat . An energy drink.
Are these festivals the same festivals as when a shrine is carried around a city? I was talking with someone in the comments of a video for Babymetal's "Megitsune," and I mentioned how a Japanese friend of mine says that it's a festival song due to the side vocals (Sore! Sore! Sore!). I was linked to footage of one of those festivals, and while I found it fascinating, I can't recall what that type of festival was called.
karate kid 2 may have something to do with this too
Kumiko from Karate kid2 brought me here