9. A Step Away From History (Part One The Ihai)

Before I continue on I need to share a few things about "home" and the family altar, otherwise known as a butsudan  in Japanese.

Traditionally the family altar is maintained in the house of the first son, or eldest living son, of a family.  Included in it are the names of the family members that are deceased, their names written on what is called an ihai　or directly translated to a  Buddhist mortuary tablet.  Here is a picture of an ihai, please note that there is a difference between an Okinawan ihai and a Japanese one.

You can see the deceased peoples names written in kanji on the red tablets in the center.  On the back is the date that they died.  Traditionally as well flowers, or some type of green plant is commonly placed on either side of the ihai on the family altar.

A Japanese ihai traditionally only has the name of one deceased person written on it.  There are different types as well, some made from wood, but basically look the same.

 

The butsudan is an important part of family celebrations in an Okinawan household.  Typically at least two times a year the extended family will gather at the house of the family member that is maintaining the family altar.  New Year's and O'Bon, which is the festival of the dead, where during the 7th month of the lunar calendar, on the 13th 14th and 15th day it is believed that the spirits of the deceased family members come back into the house.


Now with my wife's family, my mother-in-law, was very, very, very, serious about maintaining the family altar.  Here in Okinawa too, maintaining the family altar doesnt just mean keeping it clean and preparing it for the special occasions either. Twice a month on the 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar, the water, flowers, tea, sake (awamori/Okinawan rice whiskey) have to be changed, and incense offered as well.  That along with the spring equinox, autumn equinox, and other times during the year on the lunar calendar where offerings are made or shared with the "ancestors".  My wife's parents both passed away within the past few years so on the anniversary of their death's, their birthday's, or on special occasions related to family events, we make offerings of incense, or some particular food.

Part Two: The Butsudan