【English Translation】

As I mentioned in my previous blog, in autumn there is an event called “Ohigan.” Actually, it is not only in autumn but also in spring. This year’s autumn Ohigan was from September 20th to 26th!

Ohigan is a time to give thanks to our ancestors. For that reason, people go to the graves to do “ohakamairi” (visiting graves). There are some customs when doing ohakamairi, so let me introduce a few.

First, the gravestone is washed clean with water. Then flowers are placed. Since taking care of them can be difficult, artificial flowers are often used. After that, incense sticks are lit, and people put their hands together to express gratitude.

But honestly, I think many Japanese people don’t visit graves very often. More and more people only go during special times like Ohigan or Obon in August. Don’t you think it would be better if we went more regularly in daily life?

【Vocabulary List】

秋（あき）– autumn, fall
お彼岸（おひがん）– Ohigan (Buddhist holiday in spring and autumn)
行事（ぎょうじ）– event, occasion
春（はる）– spring
先祖（せんぞ）– ancestors
感謝（かんしゃ）– gratitude, thanks
お墓（おはか）– grave
お墓参り（おはかまいり）– visiting a grave
習慣（しゅうかん）– custom, practice
墓石（ぼせき）– gravestone
水（みず）– water
洗う（あらう）– to wash
お花（おはな）– flowers
造花（ぞうか）– artificial flowers
お線香（おせんこう）– incense sticks
火（ひ）– fire
手を合わせる（てをあわせる）– to put hands together (in prayer)
気持ち（きもち）– feeling, emotion
伝える（つたえる）– to convey, express
日本人（にほんじん）– Japanese people
お盆（おぼん）– Obon (Buddhist holiday in August to honor ancestors)
特別（とくべつ）– special
日常的（にちじょうてき）– everyday, regular
増える（ふえる）– to increase

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