Fumizuki (July)
Tanabata
On the 7th of July is Tanabata, one of the five seasonal festivals. Tanabata is a festival believed to have originated from the Chinese legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl and the Japanese indigenous faith in Tanabata-tsume (female weaver). Since the Edo period (1603-1867), people have decorated bamboo with wishes written on paper strips (tanzaku). This day marked the beginning of Obon, a Japanese festival honoring the spirits of ancestors, and Tanabata was also a ceremony to welcome these spirits during Obon.
Urabon-e (Obon)
Tanabata is followed by Urabon-e (Obon). This is a ceremony to welcome and pay respects to the spirits of ancestors. Urabon-e includes Mukae-bi (welcoming fire) on the evening of the 13th and Okuri-bi (sending-off fire) on the night of the 16th. Bon Odori (Bon dance) is also performed to console the spirits.
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