This week I would like to introduce a traditional Japanese event, Obon.
From August 13th to 16th, the spirits of ancestors return to their homes.
To welcome our ancestors who always watch over our family, we prepare a meal together as a family and spend the time in harmony.
This year, the children were not able to come, so it was a quiet Obon for my husband and I. My husband has never been to a rural Obon festival before.

This is my husband's first Obon in the countryside. We would prepare a gozen (a small meal) at the Buddhist altar and offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and on the last day, we would prepare lunch boxes for our ancestors who would be going home far from home.
This was very familiar to me growing up in the countryside almost 70 years ago, but I think it was unusual for my husband, who grew up a bit more in the city.
My childhood was still full of simple piety. I also heard of spells and superstitions. It was a lot of fun to prepare the Buddha's meal while remembering such things.

I am very grateful to my husband for accompanying me in my life in the countryside.
We have different personalities and different ways of thinking, so we sometimes clash, but our journey continues.
I wish you all the best in the future.