Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy 2011 Halloween!

In our town here in Japan, Halloween is nonexistent.
However with a little sprit every year I make the halloween atmosphere great with the help of Hiroyo for our children Sarah, Jax and all of our students!

This year Jax and I had a nice little ride in the afternoon and came home to a witch and devil waiting for us to start carving the Jack o lantern!


Happy Halloween!




RideOn!
Niko

2 comments:

Manny said...

So you've answered the question I wanted to ask, if there is Halloween in Japan. In Germany it isn't very big either, but gaining in popularity. Jax has some crazy moves on his bike!

RideOn!

RideOn World Tour said...

hahhahahhahaha
Thank you Manny, Jax was really having fun!

To answer you Question?
In Japan they have a very traditional event which last for 3 days in August named " Obonn".
On Obonn just like Halloween your ancestors spirit is allowed to come home and reside with the family. He in Japan the ritual is still very traditional and very close to remembering your close ancestors.
On the first day of Obon the spirit is awaken from the grave and taken to the families home by actual picking up the cremated ancestor and taking it home. Then the ancestor or if many ancestors for example both grandparents and your father if deceased is portrayed in the families Butsudan( which is a shrine or alter to place your god) with a picture of the ancestor coming home.
Then for 3 days as the family eats and spends time together the idea is the ancestor is there in spirit to enjoy the families company.
On the 3rd day the family takes them back to the grave.
In reality its very close to Halloween and gives a great catch point to share or remember you loved ones.
However its not the same day as Halloween and here halloween is not popular at all. It is however taking recognition little by little but as a crazy event of ghost and goblins! hhhhhhhhahahahahhahahahhahaha
In America as other countries have come in and seen many of our traditional events, its taken for only face value like Christmas.

So, the meaning of Halloween is lost!
I however do my best to make a lesson to teach my students and children every year the roots of Halloween and other great events.

Its been fun so far and hope to continue to progress!


RideOn!
Niko