{"id":3706,"date":"2024-07-05T18:09:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-05T09:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guidoor.jp\/yokosuka\/?post_type=news&p=3706"},"modified":"2024-07-05T18:09:54","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T09:09:54","slug":"bon-taketoro-lantern-festival-2024","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.guidoor.jp\/yokosuka\/new-and-now\/bon-taketoro-lantern-festival-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Bon Taketoro Lantern Festival 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From July 6 to August 24, six temples in Yokosuka City, Miura City, and Hayama Town will illuminate their precincts with hundreds of handcrafted bamboo lanterns for the “Bon Taketoro Lantern Festival 2024”. This enchanting event, coinciding with Tanabata and the Obon season, offers visitors a unique blend of traditional festivities, including wish-making spaces, ancestral letter writing, Bon dances, and special temple stamp collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the event: “Bon Taketoro Lantern Festival 2024”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From July 6 to August 24, six temples in Yokosuka City, Miura City, and Hayama Town will each host a one-to-two-day event as part of the “Bon Taketoro Lantern Festival 2024,” where they will display approximately 300 to 500 bamboo lanterns in their precincts, illuminated at night. The young monks, temple parishioners, and residents will handcraft the bamboo lanterns from cutting the bamboo to the final product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since the event coincides with Tanabata and the Obon season, the temples will feature Tanabata decorations and create spaces for visitors to make wishes. Other activities include writing letters to ancestors, Bon dances, and other creative initiatives. Additionally, visitors can collect special Obon temple stamps (Goshuin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please visit the official website<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get to know the history: What are “Bon” and “Taketoro”?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Obon=Bon is a traditional Japanese event where the spirits of deceased ancestors are believed to return to the world of the living. This period is dedicated to honoring and remembering these ancestors through various rituals and ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Obon Period<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Obon period varies by region, but generally falls on the following dates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tokyo, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Shizuoka, etc.: July 13th to July 16th
Okinawa and some other areas: July 13th to July 15th (lunar calendar)
Most other regions: August 13th to August 16th<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Obon Customs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. Mukaebi and Okuribi (Welcome and Farewell Fires)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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At the beginning of Obon, fires are lit to guide the spirits home. At the end of Obon, fires are lit again to send the spirits back to the afterlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Altar Decorations and Offerings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Families decorate the household Buddhist altar with flowers and incense and offer food and drinks to the spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Obon Decorations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Special decorations are often set up such as “Shoryo-uma (Horse)” and “Shoryo-ushi (Cow)” in the home to honor the ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Family Gatherings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Relatives gather to share meals and conduct memorial services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Grave Visits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Families visit their ancestors’ graves, clean the tombstones, and offer prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Bon Odori (Bon Dance)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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In many regions, people participate in traditional dances called Bon Odori, which are held to celebrate the spirits’ return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Significance of Obon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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During Obon, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors return to spend time with their living relatives. This is a time to reconnect with deceased loved ones, express gratitude, and remember the bonds shared with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related Customs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In addition to the main rituals, Obon includes regional customs and practices such as special ceremonies, local festivals, and unique traditions. The period often coincides with a holiday for businesses and schools, making it easier for families to gather and participate in the rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Obon is a vital period for reinforcing family ties and honoring the memory of ancestors.
Its significance and customs can vary widely between regions and families, reflecting the rich diversity of Japanese culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Event Dates (Total)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

July 6th (Saturday), 2024 to August 24th (Saturday), 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event Locations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Jorakuji Temple (\u6d44\u697d\u5bfa)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Fukusenji Temple (\u798f\u6cc9\u5bfa)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Fudanji Temple (\u4e0d\u65ad\u5bfa)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Tozenji Temple (\u6771\u6f38\u5bfa)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Chounji Temple (\u9577\u904b\u5bfa)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Manshoji Temple (\u6e80\u660c\u5bfa)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Official Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/bushidobunka.com\/2023\/06\/05\/r5-bontaketourou\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Imagine Bon Odori Club Presents: Live Band Bon Odori at “Jorakuji Temple” in Ogusu!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Jorakuji temple is located in Ashina and dates back to the Kamakura period. You’ll be greeted by many bamboo lanterns along the approach when you enter the precinct through the Tanabata Arch. With support from the local community, numerous stalls and food trucks will be open for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the 14th, there will be a traditional Japanese incense fireworks display, and on the 15th, a Bon dance will take place in the precincts and the main hall, with a live performance by the Imagine Bon Odori Club. In addition to the bamboo lanterns, there are other attractions such as “Letter Visiting,” where you can send letters to ancestors, and a kimono market where you can purchase and wear traditional Japanese garments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We invite you to join us for the three-day Japanese Obon festival, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate with your neighbors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \u6d44\u571f\u5b97\u3000\u6d44\u697d\u5bfa(@jorakuji.jodoshu)\u304c\u30b7\u30a7\u30a2\u3057\u305f\u6295\u7a3f<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>