Obon season has arrived! The 2020 Betsuin Obon/Hatsubon service was broadcasted on Sunday, July 12^th. If you missed it, you can still watch the virtual service on our YouTube Channel. I hope you’re getting excited to watch [our] first ever, virtual Bon Odori this coming Saturday, July 18^th at 4:00 PM and the virtual Obon cemetery service on Sunday, July 19^th at 10:00 AM.

First, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Hatsubon [families] who lost their family member between last year’s Obon and this year’s Obon. I also would like to express my condolences to the family and friends who lost their loved ones due to the Covid-19. Continue reading “2020 Seattle Virtual Obon Odori”

By Rinban Katsuya Kusunoki

The long awaited Obon season has come! This week, I would like to introduce some Obon traditions and their meanings.

Most temples in Japan conduct Obon Service in August. It is a long-standing tradition in Japan that people visit their ancestor’s gravesites during the Obon season. They deep clean the gravesites and offer flowers or fruits, and they put their palms together in gassho. People fondly recall their loved ones at the gravesites. Afterwards, they visit their temple and attend the Obon Service.

The concept of Obon in general is that the deceased loved one returns to this world during Obon Season. There are varying customs and traditions for Obon in Japan. Continue reading “Obon Tradition”