What is Ohigan?
Ohigan (お彼岸) is a traditional Buddhist event in Japan, observed twice a year—during the Spring Equinox (March) and the Autumn Equinox (September). It lasts for seven days, including the equinox day itself and three days before and after. During this period, people visit graves, make offerings, and remember their ancestors.
The Meaning of Ohigan
The word "Higan" (彼岸) means "the other shore" in Buddhism, symbolizing enlightenment. In contrast, "Shigan" (此岸) refers to the present world where we live. The equinox days are special because the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west. In Buddhist beliefs, this makes it the time when our world (Shigan) and the Pure Land (Higan), where spirits rest, are the closest. That’s why it is considered a good time to pray for ancestors and reflect on life.
What Do People Do During Ohigan?
- Visiting Graves: Families clean the graves and offer flowers, incense, and prayers to their ancestors.
- Cleaning the Family Altar: If there's a Buddhist altar at home, it is cleaned, and fresh flowers and offerings are placed.
- Offering Traditional Sweets: People make "Botamochi" (ぼたもち) in spring and "Ohagi" (おはぎ) in autumn. These are sweet rice cakes with red bean paste, and while they are essentially the same, they are named differently based on seasonal flowers—"Botamochi" for peony (botan) in spring and "Ohagi" for bush clover (hagi) in autumn.
Add comment
Comments