Lesson 49 Obon Festival
Topic Question: Can you explain what Obon is and how it is observed?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Think about what you know or might have heard about Obon, its cultural significance, and the ways it is celebrated in Japan.
Sample Answer
“Obon is a Buddhist event observed in Japan to honor the spirits of ancestors. It typically takes place in mid-August and is marked by various rituals such as visiting family graves, cleaning the gravesites, and offering food and prayers. Lanterns are hung outside houses to guide spirits, and a dance known as ‘Bon Odori’ is performed. The festival ends with the floating of lanterns on rivers or the sea, symbolizing the ancestors’ return to the spirit world.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Pronounce the Words Correctly (Pronunciation Training) + Make Sentences Using the Words Instantly
- Ancestors (祖先): Family members from past generations.
- Rituals (儀式): Established procedures for a religious or other ceremony.
- Gravesites (墓地): Places where people are buried.
- Lanterns (提灯): Light sources traditionally made of paper and bamboo.
- Spirit world (霊界): A supernatural realm of spirits or ancestors.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- What is the purpose of Obon in Japan?
- How do people prepare for the spirits’ visit during Obon?
- What symbolizes the ancestors’ return to the spirit world at the end of Obon?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
How long does it take…?
How long does it take to get from … to … ?
● How long does it take to get from Los Angeles to New York by train?
● It takes several days to get from Los Angeles to New York by train.
● How long does it take to get from your house co the airport by car?
● It takes ten minutes to get from my house co the airport by car.
How long does it take you to do something?
● How long will it take me to learn to drive?
● It takes Tom 20 minutes to get to work in the mornmg.
● It took us an hour to do the shopping.
● Did it take you a long time to find a job?
Example Sentences Based on the Grammar Practice and Sample Answer:
- How long does it take to prepare the food offerings for Obon? (It takes several hours to prepare the food offerings for Obon.)
- How long does the Bon Odori dance last during Obon celebrations? (The Bon Odori dance can last for a few hours during Obon celebrations.)
- How long does it take for the lanterns to float away and symbolize the return of the spirits? (It takes a short while for the lanterns to float away, symbolizing the spirits’ return to the spirit world.)
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
