【Koyomi】March 17, 2024

The Various Things of Seasons｜Ohigan
季節のあれこれ｜お彼岸

Today marks the start of Ohigan. As the saying goes, "The heat and cold last until Ohigan," indicating that from now on, we can proceed with agricultural work without worrying about late frosts.

今日は彼岸の入りです。暑さ寒さも彼岸までというようにこれからは遅霜も心配せず農作業を進められる時期です。

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Today, as we contemplate the cycle of life and the traditions that allow us to remember our forebears, we find ourselves in the midst of Ohigan. Spanning the three days before and after the equinoxes of spring and autumn, this period serves as a time for reflection, remembrance, and expressing gratitude towards our ancestors. It is a practice deeply rooted in Japanese culture, offering us the opportunity to acknowledge and ponder the continuity of life.

今日、私たちが生きるこの命の循環と、先人を偲ぶのに役立つ伝統について考えを巡らせる時、春分の日と秋分の日を中日とした前後３日間はお彼岸です。反省と追憶、そして祖先への感謝を表現する時間です。これは日本文化に深く根ざした実践であり、生命の連続性を認識して考える機会を提供します。

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Traditionally, Ohigan is a period for honoring ancestors and reminiscing about the deceased, nurturing the continuity between past and present generations. This tradition encompasses visiting family graves to clean them and offering prayers and offerings at temples and household altars.

伝統的には、先祖を敬い、故人を偲ぶ時期であり、過去と現在の世代間の連続性を育むものです。この伝統は、家族の墓を訪れて掃除をし、寺院や家庭の祭壇で祈りや供物を捧げることを含みます。

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Ohigan's main customs include visiting and cleaning graves, offering prayers and offerings at household altars, and visiting others to share prayers and offerings. These practices highlight a profound respect for family and ancestors, strengthening both social and familial ties.

お彼岸の主な習慣には、墓を訪れて掃除をすること、家庭の祭壇で祈りと供物を捧げること、他人を訪問して祈りと供物を分かち合うことが含まれます。これらの習慣は、家族と祖先への深い敬意を強調し、社会的および家族的な絆を強化します。

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A common misconception is that tilling the soil during Ohigan is taboo. However, this belief actually pertains to the "Doyo" periods preceding each season's onset, not Ohigan. Understanding and respecting these customs not only connects us with our cultural heritage but also clears up common misconceptions.

お彼岸中に土を耕すことはタブーという誤解があります。しかし、この信念は実際にはお彼岸ではなく、各季節の始まり前の「土用」期間に関連しています。これらの習慣を理解し、尊重することは、私たちを文化遺産につなげるだけでなく、一般的な誤解を解消します。