Chinese Bon Festival (Chugoku Bone)

About this event

Officially known as 'Pudu Ullambana Sheng Hui' (Boru Urabon Shoe), the 'Chinese Bon Festival' (Chugoku Bone) is a Bon festival held to comfort the spirits of the deceased. In the past, it was held jointly by three temples—Sofuku-ji, Fukusai-ji, and Kofuku-ji—at the Chinese Quarter (Tojin Yashiki), but it is currently held for three days starting on July 26 of the lunar calendar every year at Sofuku-ji Temple. This festival is a Buddhist memorial service to mourn all spirits, regardless of whether they have surviving family or not. On the first day, monks chant sutras to comfort the spirits of Shakyamuni and revered saints. On the second day, the deceased and spirits are summoned, and on the final day, offerings are made to spirits all around the world. To prevent stray spirits from causing mischief, unique rituals are performed where paper replicas of gold mountains, silver mountains, and clothing mountains are burned, and rice buns are tossed into the sky to send off the spirits. Statues of Qi Ye (Chi-e) and Ba Ye (Pe-e), who are said to guide human souls to the underworld, are placed in the temple precincts, and panoramic entertainment rooms, bathing rooms, women's quarters, and dance stages are set up in front of the main hall. In addition, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine is offered at the Gyokuden prepared for the deceased, with incense smoke wafting ceaselessly. Furthermore, 36 shops for the deceased in the underworld are said to allow them to shop and play. At night, the temple grounds are illuminated by countless red lanterns, echoing with the sounds of Chinese firecrackers, gongs, and drums. Visitors also come from afar, and the sight of dressed-up Chinese people performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows (sangui jiukou) ritual fills the mountain with incense smoke and great liveliness.

Venue

Sofuku-ji Temple

7-5 Kajiya-machi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 850-0831