What is a Sendoff Bonfire? What is Obon? A 5-minute story of Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi (Bonfire)

The festival of “Gozan no Okuribi” will light up the Kyoto night on August 16th. The traditional event, where the souls of one’s ancestors are released, happens during Obon. It is said that Obon spread across the nation in the Muromachi Period – the Japanese middle ages when Buddhism permeated the masses. Nowadays, five kanji are written in fire upon five mountains at 8 PM. Just what is Obon in the first place? What does it mean to light sendoff bonfires for one’s ancestors? Find out as we guide you across the five mountains.

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