The preparations for the Obon Festival are ready, and all that remains is to welcome the ancestors.

The lantern hung in the hallway is called “welcoming lantern”.

This is used to mark the return of the ancestors.

The lanterns in front of the altar are displayed in pairs to let returning ancestors know the location of the altar.

In my family, we start preparing for the Obon Festival on August 1 every year.

It is a very calming time for us every year.

Last night, my alarm clock went off every 15 minutes between 2:00 and 3:00 am.

I don’t usually use it, so of course I didn’t set my alarm…

It went off four times, and each time I opened my eyes but fell back to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I felt as if I could hear my father-in-law’s voice saying, “He’s back.

I am sure there are many ancestors in our house now.

I am sure they are laughing at the daily slapstick of the Asano family.