Obon

My piece for the RARE2014 Anthro Calendar! This year it's all about festivals from around the world and I was assigned to the japanese Obon Festival which is traditionally held in August (also in July in some regions).

"Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world." Source: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2286.ht…

Pre-ordering of the calendar has already closed, but you can order a limited amount of copies from the participating artists (this will be announced). For more info about the calendar visit the website: www.anthrocalendar.com