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Obon is the time when our ancestors are said to return from the Pure Land. Since they are making the effort to return, we want to prepare for it with gratitude.
This time, we will explain about the "Bon decorations (Buddhist altar equipment) to prepare for Obon" that are necessary to welcome your ancestors with peace of mind.
When should I prepare my Obon decorations?
Nationwide, the Obon holiday often begins around August 13th, but the duration of Obon as a Buddhist event varies by region.
- Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Ishikawa, etc. July 13th to 16th (Obon)
- Other areas: August 13th to 16th (Obon)
Decorations for Obon are finished by July 12th or August 12th, the day before the start of Obon, and fresh flowers and offerings are prepared just before the festival.
To ensure you have plenty of time for the day, try to complete your arrangements by July or early August.
Things to know before preparing your Obon decorations
When preparing Buddhist altar items for Bon Festival decorations, please keep the following two points in mind.
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①Obon decorations are mainly seasonal items. They may sell out just before the event.
Popular Bon lanterns in particular often run out of stock, so we recommend searching for your favorite one early on at online shops or physical stores.
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②Custom items with family crests or family names require 2-3 weeks to be produced, so early preparation is required.
If you are planning to have your family crest and name engraved on a Bon lantern, or if you are planning to create an ihai (memorial tablet) for the first Bon festival, be sure to plan your schedule taking into account the production time.
Types of Buddhist altar equipment to prepare as Bon decorations
Here, we will explain the Buddhist altar items that can be prepared as Obon decorations, dividing them into "items that are only used during Obon" and "items that can be used outside of Obon."
Items used only during the Obon period
Bon Festival lanterns
"AGASATO" Bon Festival Lanterns: A fusion of tradition and modernity
"AKASHI" is a compactly designed Bon Festival lantern
This acts as a guide for your ancestors when they return home. Light the lamp with the hope that they will return safely.
Recently, many highly designed room lamps have been produced that can be used for purposes other than Obon.
Spirit Horse
"TOU" is a spirit horse made from natural wood. It comes in a storage box that can also be used as a display stand so that it can be displayed every year.
For more information on "TOU" click here▶They are displayed as vehicles for our ancestors to ride when they return from the Pure Land to this world. We want them to return quickly, so we have them ride a horse to welcome them back, and when they leave, we want them to ride a cow so they can take their time and make the journey home loaded with souvenirs. For this reason, we make horse and cow shapes out of summer vegetables and straw.
Recently, there are also stylish types that you'll want to display as interior decorations.
The spirit horse "TOU" can be displayed every year instead of being thrown away, allowing you to create memories with your family.
Sawdust and roasting pan
The welcoming fire serves as a sign that our ancestors are returning, while the farewell fire is meant to see them off as they return to the Pure Land.
*Please be careful with fire as it will actually be lit.
Shoryo-dana (shrine altar) and Bon altar (bon altar)
Assembled "Spirit Shelf"
Although the words "Shoryo-dana" and "Bon-dana" are pronounced differently, they refer to the same thing.
If you live in an urban area and can't fit a large display shelf, it's convenient to have a display stand with a wide top. You can display memorial tablets, Buddhist altar accessories, and offerings.
Offerings displayed on the spirit shelf
Here are some examples of offerings. Please prepare as many as you can reasonably afford.
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Makomo
It is said that Buddha healed a sick person by placing him on a mat made of Makomo, which is why it is considered a sacred plant. As a remnant of this, it has come to be used as a mat for offerings during the Obon festival.
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Water Child
Summer vegetables such as eggplant, cucumber, and pumpkin are diced and mixed with rice and offered on lotus or potato leaves. This is done with the hope of making a nourishing offering to the returning ancestors and other spirits.
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Ears of rice, foxtail millet, millet, corn, etc.
It is prepared to express gratitude to our ancestors and predecessors for the bountiful harvest they have enjoyed.
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Agricultural crops such as taro
It is prepared to express gratitude to our ancestors and predecessors for the bountiful harvest they have enjoyed.
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Red fruits such as ground cherries and rosehips
It is said to replace the red light of a lantern that spirits hold as a guide.
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Noodles such as somen and udon
They are offered in the bundled state. There are various theories, but they are offered as auspicious gifts so that the joy of the ancestors' return will continue "long and thin." It is also said that they are used as string to tie up luggage when leaving.
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dumplings
These are prepared to entertain the ancestors. Generally, plain white rice dumplings are offered, but there are differences depending on the region and household.
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lotus leaf
It is used as a vessel for offerings. The lotus, which blooms beautifully from the mud, is revered in the Buddhist world as a flower of unparalleled purity. It is used to offer water drops, fruits, vegetables, etc.
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Bon or Buddhist flowers
Their beautiful blooms, even in the harsh natural environment, are likened to the ascetic practices of Buddhist monks, and so they began to be offered as offerings. In addition to Buddhist flowers, in some regions, Bon flowers containing lotus seeds are also prepared. If you choose flowers yourself, avoid "flowers with thorns, poisonous flowers, or flowers with strong fragrances."
Things to use outside of Obon
The Obon decorations that we have introduced so far are meant to welcome our ancestors back during Obon and to show our gratitude to them.
The following Buddhist altar items are prepared to express gratitude to the Buddha, the principal image of worship.
Please continue to use the Buddhist altar items you use on a daily basis, such as Buddhist vessels, teapots, and flower vases.
Buddhist meal
The popular reddish-brown "Tameiro 4.5 Sun" Buddhist Meal Set is available in both traditional and modern styles and is presented to the Buddha who opens the shop window. It includes rice, soup, simmered dishes, mixed vegetables, and pickles. Chopsticks are placed facing the altar to make it easier for the Buddha to eat.
Takatsuki or offering table
A low "offering stand" where you can casually offer small souvenirs. Offerings to the Buddha who opens the shop window include rice cakes, fruit, sweets, etc.
How to decorate the Bon Festival?
How should you display the Buddhist altar accessories you have prepared? Here we will introduce basic methods of displaying them.
For Buddhist altars with a base (including a spirit shelf)
A spirit shelf is placed in front of the Buddhist altar.
The memorial tablet is removed from the Buddhist altar and placed in the center of the shelf. Many offerings can be displayed on the altar, but in urban areas and some regions, a spirit shelf is not provided.
For Buddhist altars with a base (without a spirit shelf)
If you do not have a spirit shelf, you can also use a "Obon decoration stand" or a "sutra desk."
However, if a temple visits during the Obon period, it is better to avoid placing offerings on the sutra table and instead prepare a separate stand.
Modern Buddhist altar (small size)
The Bon Festival lantern "BONTOU Lantern" and the small Buddhist altar "HAJIME" are simple and not too sweet.
Recently, more and more people are placing small Buddhist altars in their living rooms or bedrooms. In such cases, rather than preparing all the traditional Obon decorations, it may be a good idea to choose a "simple style" that suits your lifestyle.
Have fun coordinating the area around your Buddhist altar in your own way, such as with stylish Bon lanterns and offerings such as sweets, or just a spirit horse.What are the things you need only for the First Bon Festival?
Hatsubon is a special Obon festival in which the deceased returns to this world for the first time since their death. In addition to the usual Obon decorations, you will need a "paper lantern (white lantern) that is only displayed during Hatsubon."
White lantern
"Chushaku Hakumonten" white lanterns prepared to pray for the safe return of ancestors
White lanterns are displayed at the entrance or on the eaves of the home, rather than indoors, to prevent ancestors returning from the Pure Land for the first time from getting lost.
However, depending on the current housing situation, it is fine to place it indoors, such as by a window. Choose a simple hanging type without a pattern.
This white lantern will be disposed of after the first Bon festival is over.
Regular Bon lanterns may be sent by people outside the family, but white lanterns are prepared by the family themselves. Everything else is the same as for regular Obon.
Click here for an article on how to dispose of Bon lanterns used during the first Bon festival
How to dispose of and put away the Bon lanterns used at the first Bon festival? Explains how to burn them.
Let's prepare Obon decorations to express our gratitude to our ancestors.
When it comes to preparing for Obon, many people probably don't know where to start.
The first thing you'll want to prepare is a Bon lantern.
Other than that, you can purchase a little bit each year to suit your lifestyle.
If you are thinking of taking this opportunity to purchase a complete set of Obon supplies, we recommend that you start preparing early as some items will take some time to arrange.
Please prepare for your ancestors' return with all your heart and within your means.
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