7月13日から15日、または8月に行われる仏教行事の1つで、先祖の霊を供養するものです。このときに霊が戻ってくるといわれているため、霊が道に迷わないよう家の門口で迎え火をたいたり、室内にちょうちんをともしたりするほか、仏壇をきれいにし、野菜や果物などの供物を飾ります。そして盆が終わると霊を送り返します。これを精霊送りといい、送り火を門口でたき、供物を川や海に流します。
Bon Festival
Bon Festival is a Buddhist event occurring from the 13th to 15th of July or August to hold a memorial service for the spirits of ancestors. Because the spirits of the dead are said to return at this time, fires are lit at the entrances to homes so the spirits do not lose their way, and , in addition to lanterns being lit inside homes, the Buddhist home alters are tidied up and vegetables fruit are set out as offerings. And when bon is over, the spirits are sent on their way. This is called the escorting of the spirits and fires to send them on their way are lit at entrances of homes and offerings are floated on rivers and the ocean.