I hate to admit it, but it has taken my cousin’s husband’s family to help me get closer to my cultural heritage here in the Fresno area. First, kudos to Olive and Jon from Columbus, Ohio for being so “Japan-centric” and embracing their son’s choice to marry into a Japanese family. Little did they know that this family has perhaps “lost or misplaced” some of their cultural heritage along the way.
Without getting into a serious discussion, let’s just say that trying to grow up, get an education, make a living, and raising a family sometimes gets in the way of the finer things in life. Not a very good excuse. But it is never too late to learn more about my Japanese heritage.
One tradition that I knew about, but never observed first hand is Toro Nagashi. It is a Japanese ceremony where people float paper lanterns down a river. This is usually done on the last evening of the Bon Festival, and based on the belief that this guides the spirits of the departed (ancestors) back to the other world. The ceremony may be done on other days as well.
Without getting into a serious discussion, let’s just say that trying to grow up, get an education, make a living, and raising a family sometimes gets in the way of the finer things in life. Not a very good excuse. But it is never too late to learn more about my Japanese heritage.
One tradition that I knew about, but never observed first hand is Toro Nagashi. It is a Japanese ceremony where people float paper lanterns down a river. This is usually done on the last evening of the Bon Festival, and based on the belief that this guides the spirits of the departed (ancestors) back to the other world. The ceremony may be done on other days as well.
The ceremony itself dates back to the 7th century, and is traditionally associated with the Obon season, when ancestral spirits are welcomed back to earth to celebrate in festival activities. The vision of the multitude of lanterns on the water, floating away at dusk, is truly an emotional experience.
The lanterns themselves are paper, featuring a real flame. The wooden frame wrapped with paper helps protect the flame. The flame represents the light of wisdom, which guides in darkness and uncertainty. Most of the customs surrounding Obon and Toro Nagashi are meant to honor one’s ancestors and the peaceful repose of their souls.
The white lanterns are for those who have died in the last year. Furthermore, traditional Japanese believe that humans come from water (I don’t). The lanterns represent their bodies returning to the water, usually the sea. Back in 1946 (the year I was born), post WW2, a “Festival of Recovery” released 3,000 lanterns into the Sumida River. It attracted hundreds of thousands of people each year. Though the event stopped in 1965 due to flood walls on the river, a river terrace was built in 2005 to revive the custom.
Locally the Shinzen Garden at Woodward Park will hold a Toro Nagashi on August 9, from 7pm to 9pm. I have never seen this ceremony performed to completion. But variations do exist in various parts of Japan. Some are released in rivers, while others are released in lakes. I presume Shinzen Garden’s will be released into the river nearby or the lake at Woodward Park.
