Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-128

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 13, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we recognize a most important Japanese time of festival.  

JAPAN’S DAY OF THE DEAD

Today begins the 3-day Obon Festival in Japan.  This is one of the country’s most beautiful and important celebrations.

Obon is the time to pay respect to one’s ancestors and honor loved ones who have passed away.  It is linked to the Buddhist tradition of honoring one’s ancestors.  During Obon, the spirits are able to return to earth and interact with their families.

It is commonly a time to return to one’s family home and light lanterns to help guide the spirits.  Cemeteries and graves are cleaned and decorated while the family updates the spirits there about the latest family happenings.

If you visit Japan during this time, you should not hang clothes outside at night or you risk them being stolen by the ghosts.  Also, you should not take photographs at night because you may capture some bad spirits in them.

This map of Japan by Tirion is from 1769.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.