The autumnal Higan week starts today (Sept. 20th) and will last till Sept. 26th.. Higan is a Buddhist holiday exclusively celebrated by Japanese sects during both the Spring and Autumnal Equinox. It is observed by nearly every Buddhist school in Japan. The etymology of O-higan is from “the other shore of the Sanzu River”, which separates this life from the afterlife in Japanese Buddhist tradition. Similar to Obon, Japanese people will often return to their hometowns during the holiday season to pay respects to their ancestors. O-higan is a public holiday, thus many businesses are closed. In Japan, the red spider lily signals Shūbun, the arrival of fall. Many Buddhists will use it to celebrate the arrival of fall with a ceremony at the tomb of one of their ancestors.
