Under Cover of Night
August 6th-8th Japanese from all over the country flock to the city of Sendai in celebration of the annual “Tanabata” Festival. While this “Star” Festival is celebrated throughout Japan, Sendai’s version is the most famous one. The festival itself involves making “requests”(praying) to stars for help with various life issues. Japanese write their requests on slips of paper which they then place alongside folded paper (”origami”) decorations on tree boughs. Later the tree boughs with all the paper decorations are burned as an offering. Shortly following the Star Festival is another major festival known as “O-Bon” or “All Souls’ Day” August 13th-16th.
The photo accompanying this article was taken on the playground of a local school during an annual neighborhood summertime festival. In the photo, as is the common practice in preparation for the Buddhist “O-bon” holiday, people are dancing a special dance in the evening to invite the return of deceased souls back to the earth. During the Star Festival Japanese people petition the stars for protection, sucess, health etc., whereas during the All Souls’ Day holiday Japanese people put their trust in the spirits of their ancestors to help them. Please pray for Japanes people to turn away from trusting in idolatorous practices and turn to faith in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Our Very Present Help in Time of Need, or in any other time for that matter.
- Donna Qualls | Outreachjapan.org
