veronica 2 Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Not sure if this has been done before.. but anyone here going to be spending obon with a Japanese family? What do you do? Is it a bit of a letdown like (I thought) New Year was? Or do they do lots of special things apart from watching tv specials etc? Kinda interested to know what goes on. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Oh yeah, it's a real hoe-down! There's something for every generation, even the dead! Everybody gets dressed up in traditional togs and the spirits come to visit! It's only through the intercession of the priest (whose visit is eagerly anticipated!) that serious trouble from the interaction between this world and the next can be avoided! If the attractive sugar gifts are the cheap ones there'll be fireworks! Fireworks! Yes! Spectacular senko hanabi! And lively timeless games like 'chase the goldfish' send gales of delight into the ghost-wreathed hills! Remember to drink plenty. I find it helps. Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 We are going to Grandma's house on Sunday and dropping off the baby. Then we'll drive up to the family graves with the brother, sister in-law, niece, and the two dogs. Hang about the graves for a bit having a crack and a bit of a secular prayer/commune with the dead. Then back home to Grandma's for a feed and catching up with lots of drinks. Just fun really-not very different from home. Link to post Share on other sites
Dims 0 Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 Davo, you like hanging round graves welcoming back the dead at home as well? Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 Not sure about the whole welcoming back thing but we go up there about 3 times a year. At home I sometimes visit family graves as well. For me it has nothing to do with organised religion, it's more of a family tradition and a good chance to get together. This is home as well so it's prolly more accurate to say I do similar things back in NZ. Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted August 14, 2004 Share Posted August 14, 2004 Drink drink drink and tv was what I experienced. And oh yes, a lecture on what a big event it was. Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 I'll report after its over - I will be with a family for 5 days so we shall see. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 When anywhere and everywhere is packed out, what more do you want than to chill out with some beers? Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted August 18, 2004 Share Posted August 18, 2004 My limited experience - much the same kind of thing as New Year. I'm not keen on fighting crowds either and so that's just fine with me. Link to post Share on other sites
viv&kev 0 Posted August 23, 2004 Share Posted August 23, 2004 We spent a couple of days with a family last week. We basically just ate well, drank well, had other friends round and went out for a morning to a big local shrine. A bit too busy for my liking, but a fun experience all the same. Link to post Share on other sites
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