bon
bon — noun
1. a Japanese Buddhist tradition observed during the summer months when families ho
a Japanese Buddhist tradition observed during the summer months when families honor their ancestors by visiting graves, offering food at home altars, and holding reunions
Takeshi's family puts fresh flowers on their altar every morning during Bon.
collocation: during Bon
Rin wears her summer kimono to the Bon Odori dance at the park.
proper noun as modifier: Bon Odori (Bon + dance name)
Many offices in Japan close for several days so people can celebrate Bon.
no article before Bon (proper noun pattern)
Mayumi's grandmother tells stories about past Bon festivals every year.
- celebrate Bon
- during Bon
- Bon festival
- Bon Odori
- ancestors' spirits
- family reunion
- grave visit
- paper lanterns
- Obon
the full form with the honorific prefix O-; equally common in English
- Bon festival
slightly more descriptive, used especially when introducing the festival to those unfamiliar with it
- Bon Odori
refers specifically to the traditional dance held during Bon, not the festival as a whole
Grammar Patterns
Bon (no article in most uses)
Bon festival (attributive use)
celebrate Bon
during Bon
Usage Note
Bon (also called Obon) is a proper noun and is always capitalized. It is often used without an article ('celebrate Bon', 'during Bon'), but 'the Bon festival' is also common in English. In Japan the festival is observed in mid-August in most regions, but in some areas (such as Tokyo) it is held in mid-July.