Japanese People Dance For Deceased Family Between The Later Half Of July And The Beginning Of August

Traditionally around July 15th in the Lunar Calendar has been called "Obon" in Japan and it is a special term for people to pray for their deceased family and ancestor. Family would get together and do a memorial service or visit their graves. What's more people get together and dance!

During "Obon" ancient people believed that their deceased family and ancestor came back to this world for a short visit. Since old times, to welcome them people in a neighborhood build a stage tower temporary and made circle dancing around it as you can see in the photos. It is called Bon-odori (Bon-dance).

Everybody can join the Bon-dance even though those don't know the dance. There are many different kind of music and dance for Bon-dance, but around the tower there are always some people who know all the dance well and show model dancing.  Moreover, when people dance Bon-dance, some of them might wear masks or head-coverings. It is said that they try to represent the deceased and dance with living people. 

Apparently ancient people expected souls of the deceased might get mixed in the masked dancers and join Bon-dance, so people didn't ask who they were for the masked dancers. You also might find some masked dancers in the photos, but don't try to make it clear who he/she is. Just enjoy seeing the dance activity on the border between this world and the other world!