Obon Demystified
O-bon or only Bon [wiki] is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one’s ancestors. This Buddhist festival has evolved 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 July 13 (August 13 according to the lunar calendar still observed in many regions) to the 15th (“Welcoming Obon” and “Farewell Obon” respectively) in the eastern part of Japan (Kanto), and in August in the western part. In recent years, however, most parts of Tokyo, and by extension, the media, hold Obon in August to coincide with the summer holiday period. Obon shares some similarities with the predominantly Mexican observance of el Día de los Muertos.
Obon is a shortened form of the legendary Urabonne/Urabanna. It is Sanskrit for “hanging upside down in hell and suffering” (Sanskrit:Ullambana). The Japanese believe they should ameliorate the suffering of the “Urabanna”.
Bon Odori originates from the story of Mokuren, a disciple of Shakyamuni, who saw a vision of his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was indulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to the Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha answered, “On the 15th of July, provide a big feast for the past seven generations of dead.” The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother’s release. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother’s release and grateful for his mother’s kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or “Bon Dance”, a time in which ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated.
Toro Nagashi is the floating of paper lanterns on the last evening of Obon, to guide the spirits. in their journey.
Bon Odori (Bon dance) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one’s ancestors.
Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to express the effusive welcome for the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a respective local Bon dance, as well as respective music accompanying the dance. The music accompanying the dance can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min’yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. Hokkaido, or northern Japan, is known for a folk-song known as “Soran Bushi.” The song “Tokyo Ondo” needs no explanation. Residents of the Kansai area will recognize the famous “Kawachi Ondo.” Tokushima in Shikoku is very famous for its “Awa Odori,” or “fool’s dance,” and in the far south, one can hear the “Ohara Bushi” of Kagoshima, Kyuushuu.
The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up around a high wooden building made especially for the festival called a ‘yagura’. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clock-wise, and some dances proceed counter-clock-wise around the yagura. Some dances reverse during the dance, though most do not. At times, people face the yagura and move towards and away from it. Still some dances, such as the Kagoshima Ohara dance, and the Tokushima Awa Odori, simply proceed in a straight line through the streets of the town.
The dance of a region can depict the area’s history and specialization. For example, the movements of the dance of the Tanko Bushi (the “coal mining song”) of old Miike Mine in Kyuusu show the movements of miners, i.e. digging, cart pushing, lantern hanging, etc. Because everyone dancing performs the same feet and hand movements in unison, it really is an interesting and beautiful dance to behold.
There are other ways in which a regional Bon dance can vary. Some dances involve the use of different kinds of fans, others involve the use of small towels. Some require the users to use small wooden clappers they use during the dance. The “Hanagasa Odori” of Yamagata is particularly interesting, for its dancers use a flower-decorated hat or “hanagasa” for the dance.
The music that is played during the Bon dance is not limited to Obon music and min’yo; some modern enka hits and kids tunes written to the beat of the “ondo” are also used to dance to during Obon season. Particularly famous is the “Pokemon Ondo,” which needs no explanation.
The Bon dance tradition is said to have started in the later years of the Muromachi period as a public entertainment. In the course of time, the original religious meaning has faded, and the dance has become associated with summer.
To celebrate O-Bon in Okinawa, the eisa drum dance is performed instead.
Bon Odori is observed at Japanese Buddhist temples throughout North America (United States and Canada). In cities like Los Angeles and Honolulu, a Bon Odori festival occurs most weekends from July through August. For many temples, the Bon Odori Festival is a major fundraising activity for the temple and brings together temple members to prepare and staff booths for food, games, and merchandise. Some temples separate out the Bon Odori dancing from the more commercial food booth aspect so that their members can all participate in dancing. Special Obon services held at local cemetaries often occur in the weeks proceeding or following the Bon Odori. Because the original members of these temples came from various regions of Japan, Bon Odori Festivals often feature dances from all over Japan.