24 solar terms No. 16 [Autumnal Equinox]

From White Dew to Autumnal Equinox.
As the saying goes, "The heat and cold last until the equinox," the lingering heat gradually subsides as autumn deepens.

The autumnal equinox is the day when the day and night become the same length, and marks the beginning of the gradual transition to winter. It is an important time of year when the seasons change.
On both the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun rises due east and sets due west, so day and night are roughly the same length.

After the vernal equinox, the short days of the winter become longer as we approach the summer solstice.
After the autumnal equinox, the long days of summer become shorter as we approach the winter solstice.

In addition, among the 24 solar terms, the summer solstice, winter solstice, vernal equinox, and autumnal equinox are collectively called the "solstices and equinoxes" and are represented as indicators of the division of the 24 seasons.

Vernal Equinox (Spring Equinox) Autumnal Equinox (Autumn Equinox)
Summer solstice (summer solstice) Winter solstice (winter solstice)
Along with marking the change of seasons, these are said to be times to pray for bountiful harvests, give thanks for the harvest, and celebrate, praising nature and cherishing living things.

 

For more information, please see the link below.

A major event that occurs around the autumnal equinox is Autumnal Equinox Day.

[Autumnal Equinox Day]

Like the Vernal Equinox Day, the Autumnal Equinox Day is also designated as a national holiday, and in recent years it has come to determine the length of the long autumn holiday known as Silver Week, attracting much public attention.

Generally speaking, Ohigan is a Buddhist event that takes place twice a year, in the spring and autumn, and is generally understood to be a period for honoring ancestors through visiting graves and making offerings.

The autumnal (vernal) equinox falls in the middle of Ohigan, and the three days before and after the autumnal (vernal) equinox (seven days in total) are called Ohigan. This is a time to visit graves, take care of Buddhist altars and Buddhist implements, offer prayers for and express gratitude to ancestors, and reflect on oneself.
The spring and autumn equinoxes, when the sun sets due west, are thought to be the days when one can be closest to paradise, and the dates of the Higan festivals were established on this basis.

●The Vernal Equinox Day (Spring Equinox Day)
A holiday to "praise nature and cherish living things"
●Autumnal Equinox Day (Autumnal Equinox Day)
A holiday to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away


We are sometimes asked why the summer solstice and winter solstice are not designated as national holidays, but unlike the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the summer solstice and winter solstice are not designated as national holidays because there is no custom (Ohigan) like the "Spring and Autumn Imperial Ancestors' Festival" that has been held in Japan since ancient times on the summer solstice and winter solstice.

▼▼ About 【Ohigan (Higan)】▼▼

 
1. Visiting the graves of your ancestors

The custom of honoring ancestors during the Ohigan festival is a unique Japanese culture.　　　

 

　

The offerings given during Obon and Higan are called the "Five Offerings" and consist of five basic types: incense (joss sticks), flowers, candles, purified water, and food and drink.
When choosing an offering, it will be easier if you keep these five types in mind.

◆Inscription on offerings◆

The general inscriptions for offerings during the equinox are "offerings" or "offerings."
However, if it is before the 49th day memorial service, it is "Goreizan" and after the memorial service, it is "Gobutsuzen", so if it has been a short time since the death, it is a good idea to check with the other party. If you are bringing it to the temple, there is no problem if you say "Osohin" or "Jo".

Mizuhiki is generally tied in black and white, but in the Kansai region, yellow and white knots are used.

When writing the giver's name under the mizuhiki, it is fine to write just the family name, but if the gift is being given to relatives or if the giver has a common family name, it is recommended to write the full name.
If there are multiple people, write their names from seniority to seniority from the right. If there are five or more people, write "All of us at XX."

When wrapping cash, it is common to put it in a "condolence envelope" and hand it over. Details such as the amount put in, the address and name are written on the inner envelope.

◆What do you give in return for the offerings?◆

Since Ohigan is mainly celebrated among family members, it is generally said that there is no need to give anything in return for offerings given during the festival.

If you want to give back to the person who gave you the offering, while considering future relationships with them, there is no problem in giving them a gift. The amount should be about 1/3 to 50% of the offering you received, and you can either mail it after the equinox with a thank-you letter, or prepare it in advance and give it to them on the spot.

When offering food at home, it is common to offer the favorite foods of the deceased, based on the "Five Offerings". In line with Buddhist teachings, the key is to avoid choosing things that are reminiscent of killing, such as alcohol, meat, and fish. Sweets and drinks are easy to prepare. Similarly, you can decorate with flowers that you like. Generally, things with thorns or that contain poisonous ingredients tend to be avoided.
Popular flowers offered during the autumn equinox are those that are colorful and long-lasting, such as chrysanthemums, gentians, cockscombs, dahlias, and cosmos.

 

Ceremonial food "Ohagi"

 

◆Do you know the difference between "Ohagi" and "Botamomochi"?◆

Ohagi is called "Ohagi" after the autumn-blooming flower "hagi," while botamochi is called "Botamochi" after the spring-blooming flower "peony."

● Botamochi is made in a round shape that resembles the shape of a peony flower.
●Gohagi are made in a long, oval shape, like a bush clover flower.

Additionally, the red beans used to make Botamochi and Onohagi are harvested in the fall.
●Ohagi uses freshly harvested red beans with the skin on for its "tsubuan" (bean paste with bean paste)
Botamochi uses smooth bean paste without the skin

Nowadays, azuki beans can be harvested regardless of the season, so the type of bean paste used varies according to preference, and botamochi and onohagi are used as seasonal names.

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Japan has various seasonal events and cultures, and these cultures are carried out with the characteristics of living in each season. From now on, the seasons will gradually change and we will move towards winter. At this time, an event called Ohigan is held to offer prayers and give thanks to ancestors. When you think about the thoughts and feelings that are put into the event while worshiping the autumn harvest, it seems to be filled with the wisdom of Japanese life and is endearing.

The autumnal equinox is represented in the 72 seasonal divisions as follows:

First Sign: "Thunder's voice is silenced"
　

When the thunder that rumbled during the summer subsides.

It is the season that pairs with "Thunder's Roar" that comes around the time of the vernal equinox. There are several names for the seasons that pair with each other in the 72 seasons, and knowing these names allows you to feel the cycle of the seasons.

●Next Season <(I am sad and closed my eyes)>

　

This is the time when insects, feeling the cold, hide underground.

　

The first sign of the awakening of insects:  As summer comes to an end, the insects that were active outside sense the approach of cold weather and begin to prepare for winter.

●Last Season ＜Water Begins to Dry＞

The time has come to drain the water from the rice fields and begin harvesting the rice.

In order to have a wonderful autumn season, the equinox period may be a good time to take care of yourself and your family's minds and bodies and to take an opportunity to reflect on yourself.