Anniversary of the Bombing of Nagasaki

Today is the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Baba is from Nagasaki, but was not there that day. She was in Tokyo and her family had escaped to the mountains.

This is the season of o-bon. It is a time when the spirits of the dead return to visit their relatives. It is common for the living to visit relatives and their hometowns, too. Big Sister, Little Brother, and I are usually visiting family in the United States in August. This year we are here.

I bought flowers for the family altar. These are white and yellow chrysanthemums with a red carnation. This is the usual combination sold for the family altar. Every flower shop has at least one bucket full of pre-packaged bouquets like this one.

Kids Web Japan-- anniversaries of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Kids Web Japan-- o-bon

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O-bon

O-bon is a time when Japanese return to their hometowns. It is also a time when deceased relatives or ancestors return. Some people put lanterns outside their homes or inside their homes near the butsudan or family altar to guide them.




Baba and Aunt have a lantern that sits on the floor like the ones in these pictures. It has a painting of a peacock on it. The light spins around on the inside of the lantern. It was used when great grandfather passed away. When Jiji passed away three years ago, the lantern was set up downstairs. It is set up for the anniversary of his death. Baba and Aunt didn't take it out for o-bon though.

I took these pictures at a department store. The clerk said it was okay. Baba didn't think it was a good idea to take a picture of theirs.

For more information about o-bon check Kids Web Japan in the links section.

Flowers for the Family Altar

Later, I went out to the grocery store and bought these flowers for the anniversary of Jiji's death. It was yesterday and I wasn't able to buy them. Flower shops and grocery stores sell these bouquets for the home altar. They sell them daily year round. O-bon, the return of ancestors, is coming up and they are selling out. The bouquets are usually chrysanthemums, but these include summer flowers like dahlias and daisies. I'll tell you more about obon later.