“O-bon” or simply “Bon” is one of the most important holidays in Japan, in August. The spirits of the dead are said to return to earth at this time and many people return to their home towns to visit the graves of their ancestors. There are festivals and traditional dancing, sometimes in the grassy outdoors. In my book, The Haiku Apprentice, I have a chapter on O-bon inspired haiku.
The grass is still tickling my toes!
I have the book, and highly recommend it.
Please, I don’t know what means “o-bon”. Dictionaries don’t mention it.
a joyous gathering
toes dancing in the grass
buddha smiles
bright
as a bead of mercury
the raindrop
on the nasturtium leaf
“O-bon” or simply “Bon” is one of the most important holidays in Japan, in August. The spirits of the dead are said to return to earth at this time and many people return to their home towns to visit the graves of their ancestors. There are festivals and traditional dancing, sometimes in the grassy outdoors. In my book, The Haiku Apprentice, I have a chapter on O-bon inspired haiku.
i love this haiku.
i love grass on my feet :)
Corneliu, the O-bon festival is August 13-16 in Japan. It’s a traditional time for praying for one’s ancestors.
See this page for more information.
Thanks for the clearing up. I understand now: the blades of grass are ancestors. It’s a tender tickling!
atop family hierarchy
this autumn eve
on my knees