Mukaebi

Overview

Mukaebi (welcoming fire) is a ritual of lighting a fire on the evening of August 13, the beginning of the Obon period, to welcome the spirits of ancestors back to this world. Dried hemp stalks (ogara) or wheat straw are burned at the entrance of homes or in gardens, and the smoke and flames serve as markers to guide the ancestral spirits so they can return without losing their way. This fire is also called kadobi (gate fire) and, together with the okuribi (sending fire) held at the end of Obon, forms a pair of rituals that have been passed down for generations in many regions of Japan.

The practice of mukaebi is widespread throughout Japan, but the methods and timing vary by region. Generally, it is performed on the evening of August 13, but some areas observe it on July 13. The forms range from simple burning of ogara to large-scale torch festivals. In Kure, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a unique mukaebi ceremony is held on July 31, where firewood is stacked in the shape of the character for "well" (井) and lit all at once facing the sea. In Wakayama Prefecture, people gather at Koshin Jizo (a type of roadside deity statue) to burn large torches, reflecting the diverse ways this tradition has been adapted to local climates and histories.

History and Origins

The origin of mukaebi is rooted in the Buddhist Urabon'e ( Ullambana) ceremony. The Urabon'e tradition is said to have begun with the story of Maudgalyayana (Mokuren), a disciple of the Buddha, who saved his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts by making offerings as instructed by the Buddha. In Japan, records indicate that the first Urabon'e ceremony was held during the reign of Empress Suiko (late 6th to early 7th century), and the practice gradually spread among common people from the Heian period through the Kamakura period.

It is believed that mukaebi became established as an annual event during the Edo period. While the custom of lighting fires to welcome ancestral spirits existed among the folk tradition before that time, it was standardized as part of Urabon'e observances across many regions along with the development of social order and the dissemination of the calendar during the Edo period. The practice of hanging bonbori (Obon lanterns) also dates back to the Kamakura period and developed as a complement to or substitute for mukaebi.

The concept behind mukaebi is based on the Japanese view of life and death, which holds that the spirits of ancestors travel from the other world to this world and may lose their way if the path is dark. The welcoming fire serves as a light to illuminate their path and as a landmark for the spirits to find their way home. Similarly, at the end of Obon, okuribi (sending fire) is lit to send the spirits back to the other world, completing a ritual cycle between the dead and the living.

In some regions, large-scale mukaebi events known as "Goshorei" existed. In these events, young men carried and swung large torches measuring 1.3 to 1.5 times their own height, made by binding bundles of rice straw or wheat straw to bamboo poles 7 to 10 centimeters in diameter. The young men would burn the torches for 10 to 15 minutes, shouting "Gozare, gozare" (meaning "come, come") to summon the spirits of their ancestors.

Highlights

Burning Ogara (Hemp Stalks) The most common method of mukaebi is to stack peeled hemp stalks (ogara) at the entrance of a home or at a crossroads and set them on fire. Ogara burns easily and produces a clear, translucent flame, making it considered ideal as a gentle light to guide the spirits of ancestors. The sight of ogara being burned in front of each house at dusk is a deeply evocative scene of summer in Japan.

Light of Bonbori (Obon Lanterns) As a variation of mukaebi, there is also the custom of lighting bonbori (Obon lanterns). These lanterns are considered a sign that the spirits of ancestors are present and are displayed in homes or gardens. This custom has continued since the Kamakura period, and although many modern bonbori use electric lights, their role remains the same. The soft glow of the lanterns creates a space where the ancestral spirits can rest peacefully.

Mizudana (Water Shelf) and Offerings In Wakayama Prefecture and other areas, a mizudana (water shelf), also called shorodana (spirit shelf), is set up in the garden on August 13. Fresh vegetables and fruits from the summer harvest, as well as somen noodles and hiki-dofu (pressed tofu), are offered on the shelf. The mizudana serves as a resting place for the spirits of ancestors. Family members address the butsudan (Buddhist altar) or the mizudana, saying, "Welcome home. Please rest well," to greet the visiting spirits.

Hagi Manto-e (Welcoming Fire Event) In Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the Manto-e (welcoming fire event) is held on August 13 at Daisho-in Temple, the family temple of the Mori clan, the lords of the Hagi domain. Candles are lit in over 600 stone lanterns in the cemetery, creating a fantastical landscape. This event has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors wearing yukata (summer kimono) receiving a free candle.

Morioka Mukaebi and Okuribi In the Natanayamachi district of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, ancestor-greeting rituals have been continuously performed. In the evening, mukaebi fires are lit simultaneously throughout the neighborhood, and the historic streetscape is enveloped in firelight. In recent years, the "traditional Sansa Odori gate-visiting" has been revived, making the event a venue for passing on local culture.

Fire Prevention and Modern Adaptations Because mukaebi can cause fires, modern adaptations include burning ogara in a hōroku (earthenware pan) or using electric bonbori instead of actual flames. In areas where it has become prohibited to float offerings on rivers, people now simulate the act of floating before retrieving and incinerating them. These developments show how the tradition continues while adapting to safety and environmental concerns.

Event Information and Access

1. Event Season: Generally held on the evening of August 13 each year. Some regions observe it on July 13. In Kure, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, it is held on July 31. For the latest schedule and confirmation of whether the event will be held, please check the official website of each municipality or organizing body.

2. Location: Primarily at the entrance or garden of each household. Large-scale events include Daisho-in Temple in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Manto-e; the welcoming fire on the 13th, while the send-off fire on the 15th is held at Toko-ji Temple), and the simultaneous neighborhood fires in the Natanayamachi district of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. In Hidakagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, people gather at Koshin Jizo.

3. Access (Example: Hagi Manto-e): It takes approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Hagi Station to Daisho-in Temple. A tea service is available inside the venue for a fee (approximately 500 yen). Since parking is limited, the use of public transportation is recommended.

4. Participation Method: For households conducting the ritual privately, prepare ogara, wheat straw, or hemp stalks and burn them at the eaves or entrance. Large-scale events are generally open to the public for viewing. Some events offer benefits for visitors wearing yukata (summer kimono), such as the free candle at Hagi Manto-e.

5. Admission: The ritual at home is free of charge. Large-scale events are also usually free to view. At Hagi Manto-e, the tea service is fee-based (approximately 500 yen), and discounts may apply for visitors in yukata.

6. Cautions: Since mukaebi involves open flames, care must be taken to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding areas. On windy days, the fire should be avoided, and other safety measures are necessary. In recent years, the disposal of offerings into rivers has been prohibited in some areas, so local rules must be followed.

Surrounding Area Information

The Natanayamachi district in Morioka City features the "Morioka Machiya Monogatari Kan" (Morioka Townhouse Story Museum) and a historic streetscape of traditional townhouses. In mid-August, when the mukaebi event takes place, the "Traditional Sansa Odori Gate-Visiting" is also held concurrently, offering visitors a chance to experience the local culture. The area is within walking distance of central Morioka and is accessible by bus or taxi.

Daisho-in Temple and Toko-ji Temple in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, are known as the family temples of the Mori clan, the lords of the Hagi domain. They house buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties and cemeteries designated as National Historic Sites. The surrounding area retains the streetscape of the Hagi castle town and is a popular summer tourist destination. During the Manto-e, the illumination of stone lanterns harmonizes with the townscape, creating a unique atmosphere.

In Hidakagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, the tradition of mukaebi is accompanied by the custom of floating vegetables and fruits offered on the shorodana (spirit shelf) down the river. However, in recent years, due to environmental concerns, this practice has changed to a symbolic gesture of floating followed by retrieval and incineration. The surrounding area offers hot springs and natural scenery, and many people visit during the Obon period.

Related Information

1. Okuribi (Sending Fire): The counterpart to mukaebi, held on the evening of August 16. This fire is lit to send the spirits of ancestors back to the other world. The Gozan no Okuribi (Five Mountains Sending Fire) in Kyoto is particularly famous.

2. Urabon'e (Obon): The Buddhist ceremony that provides the background for mukaebi. It is centered around July 15 or August 15 and involves making offerings to the spirits of ancestors. In Japan, there are two periods for Obon: July Obon and August Obon.

3. Bonbori (Obon Lanterns): Lanterns sometimes used in place of mukaebi. They are considered a marker of the presence of ancestral spirits, a custom dating from the Kamakura period. In modern times, they are displayed at home entrances or in front of the butsudan.

4. Toro Nagashi (Floating Lanterns): A form of okuribi in which lanterns are floated down rivers or out to sea to send off the spirits. It is the opposite of mukaebi in that it uses water as a medium and is a distinctive summer tradition in Japan.

5. Gozan no Okuribi (Five Mountains Sending Fire): A large-scale okuribi event held in Kyoto on the night of August 16. Giant bonfires in the shape of characters such as "Dai" (big) are lit on mountainsides. Like mukaebi, it is a ritual related to ancestral spirits and is a quintessential summer tradition in Japan.

6. Regional Mukaebi Events: In the Hokuriku region, including Kamiichi Town in Toyama Prefecture and Shika Town in Ishikawa Prefecture, large-scale mukaebi events called Goshorei have been handed down. Similar events are held in Kanayamachi, Takaoka City, and some have been designated as intangible folk cultural properties for preservation.

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