{"id":70286,"date":"2020-09-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=70286"},"modified":"2023-05-09T17:32:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T08:32:19","slug":"japanese-cemeteries-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-cemeteries-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Cemeteries: The Traditions of Japanese Burial Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Japanese traditions contain numerous customs and rituals that may seem unusual to Westerners. However, these customs make sense when one considers the religious and philosophical teachings of Buddhism and Shintoism. The&nbsp;<strong>traditions surrounding Japanese cemeteries<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u5893\u5834,&nbsp;<em>hakaba<\/em>) are, of course, no exception, and may even surprise you with their numerous rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will explain\u00a0<strong>Japanese cemeteries,<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>traditions and rituals during the Obon festival<\/strong>, and introduce you to Japanese cemeteries&#8217;<strong>\u00a0unique culture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ht-block-toc  is-style-outline htoc htoc--position-wide toc-list-style-plain\" data-htoc-state=\"expanded\"><span class=\"htoc__title\"><span class=\"ht_toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/span><span class=\"htoc__toggle\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\"><g fill=\"#444\"><path d=\"M15 7H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><path d=\"M15 1H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1zM15 13H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/span><div class=\"htoc__itemswrap\"><ul class=\"ht_toc_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-japanese-cemeteries-what-makes-them-unique\">Japanese Cemeteries: What Makes Them Unique?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-special-features-of-japanese-tombstones\">Special Features of Japanese Tombstones<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-japanese-cemeteries-as-a-culture\">Japanese Cemeteries As a Culture<\/a><ul class=\"ht_toc_child_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-some-of-most-famous-japanese-cemeteries-and-burial-sites\">Some of Most Famous Japanese Cemeteries and Burial Sites in Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-the-obon-festival-in-memory-of-the-deceased\">The Obon Festival:  In Memory of the Deceased<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-bon-odori-the-dance-to-welcome-the-souls-of-the-deceased\">Bon-Odori:\u00a0The Dance to Welcome the Souls of the Deceased<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-okuribi-the-fire-ritual-during-obon-season\">Okuribi: The Fire Ritual During Obon Season<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-japanese-cemeteries-what-makes-them-unique\">Japanese Cemeteries: What Makes Them Unique?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"71067\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050142\/Cemetery_1.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese cemeteries in the countryside.\" class=\"wp-image-71067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050142\/Cemetery_1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050142\/Cemetery_1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"71068\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050236\/Cemetery_2.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese cemeteries in the countryside.\" class=\"wp-image-71068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050236\/Cemetery_2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050236\/Cemetery_2-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, let\u2019s ask ourselves what makes Japanese cemeteries so unique. In fact, I&#8217;d say that they are so unique and fascinating that they may deserve their own visit. When we think of taking a\u00a0vacation in Japan, the cemetery is probably not the first place we would think of visiting. But there is perhaps a no better place to get a glimpse of\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/religion-in-japan\/#Death-in-Japanese-Buddhism\" class=\"ek-link\">the close ties the Japanese have with the afterlife and Buddhism<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Death is seen as something impure in Shintoism.<\/strong>&nbsp;As a result, most funerals in Japan follow Buddhist rituals, and&nbsp;<strong>the deceased is cremated and buried in a family grave.&nbsp;<\/strong>Unlike Europe or America\u2019s burial customs, the&nbsp;<strong>tombstone (\u5893\u77f3<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong><em>hakaishi<\/em>) is the entire family&#8217;s<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>marker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71069\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050313\/Cemetery_3.jpg\" alt=\"Old Japanese cemetery.\" class=\"wp-image-71069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050313\/Cemetery_3.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050313\/Cemetery_3-375x500.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tombstones represent the whole family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"459\" height=\"814\" data-id=\"71070\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050332\/Cemetery_4.jpg\" alt=\"Itatoba behind a tombstone.\" class=\"wp-image-71070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050332\/Cemetery_4.jpg 459w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050332\/Cemetery_4-282x500.jpg 282w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The <em>itatoba<\/em> with the Buddhist names of the deceased<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In case you are wondering what the\u00a0<strong>wooden grave markers behind the tombstones<\/strong>\u00a0mean, here is the explanation: According to tradition, the\u00a0<strong>deceased receives a Buddhist name<\/strong>\u00a0(\u6212\u540d,\u00a0<em>kaimy\u014d<\/em>) from a priest after their death. This name prevents them from entering the mortal world if their worldly name is uttered. Traditionally, old-fashioned kanji are used for the Buddhist name to avoid the name falling in everyday conversations. This name can be on the\u00a0<strong>wooden grave marker, called\u00a0<em>itatoba<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(\u677f\u5854\u5a46), behind the tombstone. Occasionally, the name of a Buddha or Sanskrit characters are written on the grave markers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"afflink\"><strong>Read More<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/difference-temple-shrine-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">The Difference Between Temples and Shrines in Japan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-special-features-of-japanese-tombstones\">Special Features of Japanese Tombstones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, the Japanese family grave consists of&nbsp;<strong>a stone monument with space for flower decoration, incense sticks and water<\/strong>. The individual names of the deceased are, in some cases, engraved on the sides of the tombstone. Although this custom differs from region to region, the living family members\u2019 names are usually colored red to distinguish them from the deceased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space reserved for water is meant to prevent the deceased from getting thirsty, but it can also be filled with sake if the ancestors liked it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71072\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050832\/Cemetery_5.jpg\" alt=\"Decoration at Japanese cemeteries.\" class=\"wp-image-71072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050832\/Cemetery_5.jpg 682w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050832\/Cemetery_5-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Water is offered to prevent the deceased from getting thirsty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"776\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71073\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050857\/Cemetery_6.jpg\" alt=\"Decoration at Japanese cemeteries.\" class=\"wp-image-71073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050857\/Cemetery_6.jpg 776w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050857\/Cemetery_6-379x500.jpg 379w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 776px) 100vw, 776px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Flowers at a tombstone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The traditional shape of a tombstone is a pagoda made of five stone blocks called the&nbsp;<em>Gorin-t\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;(\u4e94\u8f2a\u5854).<strong>&nbsp;Each block represents the five elements of Buddhist philosophy \u2013 earth, water, fire, air and space<\/strong>. Each character, in Kanji or Sanskrit, is engraved on the grave monument\u2019s respective blocks. This pagoda shape is typically the style of older cemeteries, while modern tombstones tend to have a columnar shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-japanese-cemeteries-as-a-culture\">Japanese Cemeteries As a Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Japanese cemeteries, as we know them today, developed over the past several centuries. Between the third and seventh centuries, persons of importance were buried in massive burial sites called <strong><em>kofun<\/em>&nbsp;(\u53e4\u58b3)<\/strong>. The styles of the <em>kofun<\/em> (also known as&nbsp;barrows) could vary from round or square tombs only a few meters wide to colossal&nbsp;<em>kofuns&nbsp;<\/em>that resembled a keyhole from a bird\u2019s-eye view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"afflink\"><strong>Read More: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/death-in-japan-spirituality-culture\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Death in Japan: Spirituality and Culture<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050935\/Cemetery_7.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese kofun, also known as barrow.\" class=\"wp-image-71075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050935\/Cemetery_7.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050935\/Cemetery_7-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02050935\/Cemetery_7-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kofun, also known as barrow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-some-of-most-famous-japanese-cemeteries-and-burial-sites\">Some of Most Famous Japanese Cemeteries and Burial Sites in Japan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the largest tombs in the world is a&nbsp;<a class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/osaka-nintoku-kofun\/\"><em>Kofun<\/em>&nbsp;called <strong>Nintokuryo <\/strong>in Sakai, Osaka<\/a>.&nbsp;The tomb includes a moat and spans <strong>approximately 470,000 m\u00b2<\/strong>. Built in 399 in honor of the Emperor Nintoku, Nintokuyro (\u4ec1\u5fb3\u5929\u7687\u9675) was constructed in the form of a keyhole, visible from the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With more than 200,000 graves of Buddhist monks, the <a class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/mount-koya-temple\/\"><strong>Okunoin cemetery is the largest Japanese cemetery<\/strong><\/a>. It is located in the Kansai region on Mount Koya (<em>koyasan<\/em>, \u9ad8\u91ce\u5c71) and surrounds the <a class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/mount-koya-temple\/\">temple of Okunoin<\/a>. According to the legend, no dead people rest on the Koyasan&nbsp;\u2013 only souls waiting to continue their journey onto the spirit world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71076\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051049\/Cemetery_8.jpg\" alt=\"Okunoin cemetery on Mt. Koya.\" class=\"wp-image-71076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051049\/Cemetery_8.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051049\/Cemetery_8-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71077\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051126\/Cemetery_9.jpg\" alt=\"Okunoin cemetery on Mt. Koya.\" class=\"wp-image-71077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051126\/Cemetery_9.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051126\/Cemetery_9-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Pictures by <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/clementine\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Cl\u00e9mentine<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>largest urban cemetery in Japan is the Tama Cemetery<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>tama reien<\/em>, \u591a\u6469\u970a\u5712) in Fuchu, Tokyo. Erected in 1923, the Tama Cemetery covers 128 hectares and is the final resting place of several greats in Japanese history that include: writer&nbsp;<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yukio_Mishima\" target=\"_blank\">Mishima Yukio<\/a>&nbsp;(1925-1970); 33rd Prime Minister of Japan,&nbsp;<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Senj%C5%ABr%C5%8D_Hayashi\" target=\"_blank\">Hayashi Senj\u016br\u014d<\/a>&nbsp;(1876-1943) and artist&nbsp;<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tar%C5%8D_Okamoto\" target=\"_blank\">Okamoto Tar\u014d<\/a>&nbsp;(1911-1996).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"688\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71079\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051936\/Cemetery_10.jpg\" alt=\"Grave of Mishima Yukio, Tama Cemetery, Tokyo.\" class=\"wp-image-71079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051936\/Cemetery_10.jpg 688w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02051936\/Cemetery_10-336x500.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"71080\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052022\/Cemetery_11.jpg\" alt=\"Tama Cemetery, Tokyo, the biggest urban cemetery in Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-71080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052022\/Cemetery_11.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052022\/Cemetery_11-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"71081\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052049\/Cemetery_12.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance of Tama Cemetery, Tokyo.\" class=\"wp-image-71081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052049\/Cemetery_12.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052049\/Cemetery_12-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Top left: Grave of Mishima Yukio. Top right: The Tama Cemetery is the biggest urban cemetery in Japan. Bottom: Entrance to Tama Cemetery in Tokyo. Photos \u00a9 Yuya Tanaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the edge of the Tokyo Tower, <strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zojoji.or.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zojo-ji Temple<\/a><\/strong> is known for its <strong>numerous Buddhist <em>Jiz\u014d<\/em> statues<\/strong>. The statues, decorated with red caps and windmills, <strong>represent unborn children, miscarriages and abortions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13.jpg\" alt=\"Z\u014dj\u014d-ji temple in Tokyo, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-71082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13-500x335.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13-900x604.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13-600x403.jpg 600w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052420\/Cemetery_13-400x269.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Jiz\u014d<\/em> statues at the Z\u014dj\u014d-ji temple in Tokyo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Japanese cemeteries can, of course, not only be found in the outskirts of large cities or holy places near temples but in&nbsp;<strong>rural areas near rice fields, behind gardens or in the middle of the forest<\/strong>. These old tombs, mostly overgrown with moss, will surely cast a spell on you too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-the-obon-festival-in-memory-of-the-deceased\">The Obon Festival:  In Memory of the Deceased<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Obon festival<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>obon<\/em>, \u304a\u76c6) is a&nbsp;<strong>Buddhist tradition for the souls of deceased ancestors<\/strong> and has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years. Every August, <strong>ancestors return to the mortal world to reunite with their family members<\/strong>. The 2020 Obon was celebrated from&nbsp;August 13th to the 16th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052957\/Cemetery_14.jpg\" alt=\"Kamidana, a Shinto house altar.\" class=\"wp-image-71083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052957\/Cemetery_14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02052957\/Cemetery_14-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kamidana<\/em>, a Shinto house altar. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One custom during the Obon festival is to&nbsp;<strong>offer food to Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines.&nbsp;<\/strong>The Buddhist variant of the in-house shrine is called&nbsp;<strong><em>butsudan<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>\u4ecf\u58c7<\/strong>, while Shinto house altars are called&nbsp;<strong><em>kamidana<\/em>&nbsp;\u795e\u68da<\/strong>. In addition to the offerings, the families also&nbsp;<strong>set up impaled cucumbers and eggplants to symbolize horses and cows<\/strong>. The cucumber, the symbol of the&nbsp;<strong>soul horse (\u7cbe\u970a\u99ac<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong><em>sh\u014dry\u014d-uma<\/em>)<\/strong>, is supposed to bring the soul of the deceased quickly into this world to his family. The&nbsp;<strong>soul cow (\u7cbe\u970a\u725b<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong><em>sh\u014dry\u014d-ushi<\/em>)<\/strong>, symbolized by the eggplant, slowly takes the soul back into the afterlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053045\/Cemetery_15.jpg\" alt=\"The soul horse is supposed to bring the deceased into this world.\" class=\"wp-image-71084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053045\/Cemetery_15.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053045\/Cemetery_15-500x329.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The soul horse is supposed to bring the deceased into this world. Photos \u00a9 Yuya Tanaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Obon season, family members visit their family grave (\u304a\u5893\u53c2\u308a,&nbsp;<em>ohaka mairi<\/em>) for its annual clean.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-bon-odori-the-dance-to-welcome-the-souls-of-the-deceased\">Bon-Odori:\u00a0The Dance to Welcome the Souls of the Deceased<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Obon festival is also accompanied by the&nbsp;<strong><em>bon-odori<\/em>&nbsp;(\u76c6\u8e0a\u308a) dance<\/strong>, which<strong>&nbsp;welcomes the deceased&#8217;s souls into the mortal world<\/strong>. The dance and music differ from town to town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" data-id=\"71085\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053113\/Cemetery_16.jpg\" alt=\"Bon odori dance, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-71085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053113\/Cemetery_16.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053113\/Cemetery_16-500x357.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"71086\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053136\/Cemetery_17.jpg\" alt=\"Bon odori dance, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-71086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053136\/Cemetery_17.jpg 682w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053136\/Cemetery_17-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"71087\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053155\/Cemetery_18.jpg\" alt=\"women and men wearing summer yukatas during a traditional Japanese Bon odori dance, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-71087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053155\/Cemetery_18.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053155\/Cemetery_18-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053155\/Cemetery_18-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Everyone can take part in <em>Bon-Odori <\/em>dances. Photos by <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/toddfong\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Todd Fong<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>Bon-Odori<\/em> has its origin in the Buddhist, ritual dance of&nbsp;<em>nenbutsu<\/em>&nbsp;(\u5ff5\u4ecf), which was performed to visualize the Buddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nowadays, the&nbsp;<em>bon-odori<\/em>&nbsp;is a popular dance festival in which young and old locals and tourists can participate. So, if you have the opportunity to visit a&nbsp;<em>bon-odori<\/em>&nbsp;festival, remember the simple dance steps and join the dancers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-okuribi-the-fire-ritual-during-obon-season\">Okuribi: The Fire Ritual During Obon Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another traditional ritual is the<strong>&nbsp;<em>okuribi<\/em>&nbsp;\u9001\u308a\u706b (send-off fire). The fire is supposed to accompany the deceased&#8217;s souls back to the afterlife at the end of the Obon festival<\/strong>. One of the most famous&nbsp;<em>okuribi<\/em>&nbsp;is the&nbsp;<strong><em>Gozan no Okuribi<\/em>&nbsp;<\/strong>(\u4e94\u5c71\u9001\u308a\u706b, &#8220;Escort of the Five Mountains&#8221;). It takes place annually in Kyoto and is also known as&nbsp;<em>Daimonji<\/em>&nbsp;\u5927\u6587\u5b57. During the&nbsp;<em>okuribi<\/em>, five bonfires are lit on mountains around Kyoto to take the deceased&#8217;s spirits back to their world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/11230419\/daimonji-kyoto.jpg\" alt=\"Bonfire on mount Daimonji in Kyoto\" class=\"wp-image-71828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/11230419\/daimonji-kyoto.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/11230419\/daimonji-kyoto-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/11230419\/daimonji-kyoto-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Picture by <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/clementine\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Cl\u00e9mentine<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The characters or shapes of the five bonfires are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u5927, <em>dai<\/em> \u2013 a character for \u201clarge\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;\u5999, <em>my\u014d<\/em> and \u6cd5, <em>h\u014d<\/em> \u2013 means \u201cwondrous dharma\u201d, referring to Buddhism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u821f\u5f62, <em>funagata<\/em> \u2013 means \u201cshape of a boat\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u5de6\u5927\u6587\u5b57, <em>hidari daimoji<\/em> \u2013&nbsp;again, means \u201clarge\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u9ce5\u5c45\u5f62, <em>torrigata<\/em> \u2013 means \u201cthe shape of a shrine gate\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19.jpg\" alt=\"Tama cemetery, Japanese cemeteries.\" class=\"wp-image-71088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19-500x335.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19-900x604.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19-600x403.jpg 600w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/02053212\/Cemetery_19-400x269.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photos \u00a9 Yuya Tanaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>So, next time you walk past a Japanese cemetery, take a closer look at it.\u00a0<strong>Discover the many Buddhist elements<\/strong>\u00a0hidden here and there, and let yourself be enchanted by Japan&#8217;s rich culture, with all its traditions and rituals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japanese traditions contain numerous customs and rituals that may seem unusual to Westerners. However, these customs make sense when one&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":110,"featured_media":71072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":6,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,2050],"tags":[2071,1809,2074,2123],"class_list":{"0":"post-70286","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"category-things-to-know","9":"tag-japanese-society","10":"tag-religion","11":"tag-rituals","12":"tag-tradition-2"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Japanese Cemeteries: A Guide to Traditions, Rituals &amp; the Afterlife<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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Tanaka","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/11124307\/Yvonne.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/11124307\/Yvonne.jpeg","caption":"Yvonne Tanaka"},"description":"I'm a German girl from Berlin, who found her second home in Japan. Since 2012, I travelled at least once a year to Japan, before I moved to Tokyo in 2017 as an exchange student. After just a few months back in Germany, I ended up in Tokyo again in 2019 - ready for telling you more about this amazing and traditional country! :)","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/yve_chan\/"],"url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/yvonne\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70286"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}