O-Bon festival of the dead

The O-Bon festival in August is held when spirits of ancestors return to the “living” world. Kyoto’s Gozan-no-Okuribi are giant bonfires lit on five mountains surrounding the city to send off the spirits on their return journey back to the spirit world. Meanwhile, down below, candle-lit offerings are sent down rivers on floating trays.

In the middle of August the Japanese pay their respect to the deceased members of their families. This is the time when they make Shoryo-uma. little eggplant oxen and cucumber horses. According to the tradition these become the vehicles of the dead ancestors to the living world