There are many other traditions that surroundthe Bon Festival. One of these is the Awa Dance Festival. It’s the largest dance festival in Japan, which attractsover a million tourists every year. Groups that wear traditionalkimonodo a unique dance which is called the Nagashi during the day. At night, however, the music of the shamisen lutesand taiko drums is taken to the next level, and the dance changes to the faster Zomeki style.
Another dance festival that takes placearound the time of Bon is called Gujo Odori . There, 10 different dances are performed. One of them is done to a song that is called “Harukoma ,” or Spring Horse. Tens of thousands of dancers leapand bucklike a horse with a rider on its back.
Finally, there is Kyoto’s Daimonji , which marksthe end of Bon. Five huge bonfiresare lit on the mountains around the city. Some of the fires are in the shape ofJapanese characters. They are meant to guide the spirits back to the world of the dead after their visit to their old homes. Many people flock tothe banksof the Kamo River to watch the fire burn. This brings an end toa very special time of year.
