Don’t say huh!? You’re still in the right blog.
From Friday 10th August until Wednesday is Obon Festival in Japan. Obon Festival is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one’s ancestors. Most people from the big cities return to their hometown to visit and clean their ancestors graves. Traditionally, lanterns are hung across town for the spirits not to lose their way. because they are believed to return to this world each year during obon to visit their relatives. Creepy?
Creepier: Pristine carrying a lantern to the cemetery;
lighting candles at M’s ancestor’s tomb AT NIGHT
Since I got associated with my Japanese hubby 9 years ago, we would go to his hometown and spend time with his family. Last year, it was Pristine’s first time to hold a lantern on our way to the cemetery. She was delighted!
Obon festival is just one of the many festivals during summer in Japan. It is also the best time to wear our summer kimono.
Pristine in her first yukata (summer kimono)
Never mind the smile/smirk: P in a Hello Kitty yukata
I’m getting some help here and a picture taken with our friends.
Pristine is not dressed yet
Last year, my soon to be-sister-in-law V came to visit us in Nagano. She looked very radiant in the kimono I gave her as a gift. So many people mistakenly talked to her in Nihongo thinking she was a local!
My brother D and V (now engaged)
Me and V: Nihonjin (Japanese) wannabes
V’s back shot
So what is the connection with Japan’s Obon Festival with our life here in far away Dubai?
For one, I am working in a Japanese company, collaborating with Japan office. They are out for vacation so I am not busy. How else would I be able to come up with this long post? 
Grace (18)
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement (11)
John (3)
Krista (3)
Maribeth (3)
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Pristine is JUST TOO Gorgeous! That is my favorite photo so far! Just gorgeous!
Thanks for the info! I always love to hear about customs!
Nice kaau inyong kimono! Curious lng…is it not hot considering you are wearing it on summer?
You’re all lovely in your yukatas!
What beautiful kimonos! Are they comfortable? They seem like they would be, but I’m not sure about that stiff sash…
Thank you for sharing this festival with us.
Cute pristine! and lovely ladies in yukata
I hope I could wear one.
Pristine in the Kimono = Kawaii!!
Hi G—she is so beautiful. Such wonderful color. Matches her spirit!
I love that beautiful pink kimono! She’s so adorable in it!
BTW, for some reason Bloglines isn’t picking up your feed. It hasn’t shown that you posted anything new in days. That’s why I haven’t been around here lately. I finally decided to check for myself . . . and look at all I missed!
Our Globe is shrinking, with this wonderful shared insight into the lives of the Japanese. Thank you for enlightening our understanding a little bit more.
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