Yuko sensei sitting with many obi . The holiday Obon is a traditional Buddhist celebration honoring deceased relatives. It is customary to return to your hometown and pay tribute to ancestor's grave sites, as the spirits are said to return during Obon . It is celebrated for three days around August 15th, though the specific dates differ across Japan. In Gifu prefecture, Obon was celebrated August 13-15, and we took part in the festivities. Obon is attributed to a Buddhist monk who learned his mother was suffering in a realm of hungry ghosts. He began a series of sacrifices to free her, and as he did so, he realized all her selflessness and sacrifice to him during her lifetime. When she was finally freed, he danced for joy. Close to Gifu, there is a large city named Gujo, famous for its summertime all-night dance festivals. During Obon , there are special dances performed to welcome and honor the spirits, in the tra...
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