採用記事（先週の記事）

I saw big size paper motorcycles, cars, mobile phones and houses burnt as offerings when I came to Viet Nam. After my Vietnamese wife explained things, I realised comparisons could be made with the Bon festival in the middle of August.

At that time, we have a custom called Mukaebi, where a small fire is lit at the gate of a house in the evening of the first day to welcome back departed souls. Then, on the final night of the festival, there is Okuribi, a ceremonial bonfire to see off the spirits.


We also make a horse out of cucumber at Mukaebi so that the spirit of the departed person can return to earth faster. We also make a cow out of eggplant so the spirits return to the other world more slowly.

Comforting the spirit of the dead is different in many countries, but perhaps it can be argued that too much is spent on offerings in Viet Nam nowadays. Some might argue that people go to the other world without discrimination, so what is the point of spending so much money?

But I believe it is important to explain the meaning of rituals, as I always explain the meaning of both Japanese and Vietnamese rituals to my son.