Japanese culture – August 16th is ‘Tsukiokure Bon Okuribi’ – What is it? (for Japanese learners)

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16th of August is ‘Tsukiokure Bon Okuribi’ – What is it? (for Japanese learners)

16th of August is ‘Tsukiokure Bon Okuribi’ – What is it? (for Japanese learners)

What’s on Today? August 16th

今日、8月16日は、「月遅つきおくれ盆送ぼんおくり火び」です。
これは、お盆に帰かえってきた先祖せんぞの霊れいを送おくり出だす行事ぎょうじです。有名ゆうめいなのが、「京都きょうとの五山ござんの送り火」や、「長崎ながさきの精霊流しょうろうながし」です。
「京都の五山の送り火」では、京都を囲かこむ山々やまやまに五いつつの送り火を灯ともし、お盆に迎むかえた精霊をふたたび冥土めいどに送り帰します。
「長崎の精霊流し」では、藁わらや木で作つくった船ふねにお供そなえ物ものを乗のせて川かわや海うみに流ながし、先祖の霊れいを送ります。

Today, August 16th, is “Tsukiokure Bon Okuribi“.
This is an event to send off the spirits of ancestors who have returned during Obon.The famous ones are “Gozan no Okuribi in Kyoto“ and “Shoro Nagashi (Ceremony for sending-off-spirits) in Nagasaki“.
In Kyoto, “Gozan no Okuribi,” five giant bonfires are lit on mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto to send off the spirits of ancestors who have returned during Obon.In Nagasaki, “Shoro Nagashi (Ceremony for sending-off-spirits)’, a boat made of straw or wood, carrying offerings, are sent down rivers or the sea to send off the ancestors.

Samurai

冥土めいどmeans ‘the another world’.

‘Gozan no Okuribi‘ in Kyoto

Five bonfire shaping kanji of 「大」「妙」「法」, the ship and Torii gate are lit on mountains. Trust me- it looks amazing!
Kyoto is always very crowded on this day, but it’s worth it!