NILS students are now enjoying summer holidays. We, teachers also have some days holidays in August. It is called “Obon (お盆）” whichi is a Buddhist memorial service for the ancestors and the deseased of the family. It takes place from August 13 to 15 (or July 13 to 15). During the period, spirits of the dead are believed to return to their families. People visit the family grave, offer flowers, burn incense sticks and pray for their souls to rest in peace. Bon dances are performed to entertain ancestral spririts throughout Japan. On the last evening of obon, farewell fires are made to guide the spirits back to their world.

It is a good opportunity for our students to learn traditional Japanese culture. Learning Japanese langauge is of course important, but we hope they will also learn the Japanese way of thinking.

August 11th News from NILS Japanese language school.