OHIGAN is the 7 days period of holding memorial services for ancestors and Buddha. During this period you see 2 things all over Japan.
- SPECIAL DECORATIONS & PEOPLE AT CEMETERIES
- CLUSTER AMARYLLIS EVERYWHERE
SPECIAL DECORATIONS & PEOPLE AT CEMETERIES
Originally, OHIGAN was the period for Buddhists to pray and hold memorial services for Buddah to strive after virtue to go to heaven.
But today, for most Japanese people, it is the period for them to visit their family and ancestors’ cemeteries to pay respect to them or/and thanking them for protecting us.
So, during this time of the year, you see some cemeteries are decorated for OHIGAN. Also, a lot of people visit cemeteries. It is one of the times you get to see the relationship and attitude between Japanese people and ancestors.
CLUSTER AMARYLLIS EVERYWHERE:
Because these flowers blossoms during the Autumn OHIGAN season, we call them “The flower of OHIGAN”: /HIGAN-BANA (彼岸花). The flowers are a reminder for us to visit cemeteries for OHIGAN.
Autumn OHIGAN??? We have 2 OHIGAN in a year. One is in Autumn, the other is in Spring.
Autumn OHIGAN: “3days before Autumnal Equinox Day” + “3 days after Autumnal Equinox Day” = 7days
Spring OHIGAN: “3days before Vernal Equinox Day” + “3 days after Vernal Equinox Day” = 7 days
If you are planning to visit Japan to see “nontouristy” and “authentic local Japanese” customs and our way of living, then go to a bit of the countryside of Japan and swing by some cemeteries during OHIGAN season. That could be one idea.
Would you like to know which season we are in NOW?
Follow our Social Media Accounts of YOUR CHOICE!
What do you get from our Social Media Accounts but you don’t get here?
- “More than 4 seasons” posts are posted with DATEs of each seasons each year. Because these dates slightly changes every year.
- You get “post notice” is the Social Media of your choice has the function.
- If you also follow ” #morethan4seasons “. You will have the archive only about “More than 4 seasons” posts.
HANDY!!! Don’t you think?
Did you know that we provide a usuful service while you are in Shikoku, Japan?
Language assistance attend
Did you know that there are so many local dialects in Japan?
Also, Did you know that people from outside of the area cannot understand the dialect, even if the person is Japanese?
On top of that, we speak in the local dialect regularly.
And, people open up faster if the person spoke the dialect.
Our curator will attend your stay in Shikoku. She was born and grew up here in Shikoku.
You will have so many advantages if you have a language assistant who is from there & speaks the local dialect.
Activity resarch & Attend
We all know that there are so many things that guide books cannot cover.
If you are looking for something, in particular, to do here but you cannot find the information in your language, we can help!
We can look into the information and tell you in English. Also, if you would need a language assistant on sight, our curator will attend your experience.
Gathering information
Haven’t you had this kind of problem? You are looking for some information about abroad, but you cannot find the information in your language nor English.
If you seem to have trouble finding information about Shikoku or Japan, we can gather the information and summarize it in English.
For business purposes or your pleasure, it doesn’t matter.
However, we cannot help you with academic research.
If you would like to know further information, please contact us from the mail form below.
Comments by satoko