O-bon lanterns floating in a river.
The O-bon festival is an important tradition in Japan. During this Buddhist event people gather with family and pray for the souls of their ancestors. They believe that during this time their ancestors will return. The celebration consists of dancing, offering food to the ancestors, and guiding them on their journey with lanterns, both hung outside homes and floated in the water. I would like to incorporate lanterns in my installation to honor my grandmother through this Buddhist tradition. The lanterns will hang beside the noren to guide people through the passageway they create.
