Week-long services called Higan-e (彼岸会) are held at temples. It's usual for people first to listen to sermons and then visit family graves.
Whereas 'Spring Higan' (春彼岸) typically shows gratitude for all living things, 'Autumn Higan' (秋彼岸) gives thanks to the dead.
Complementing Higan (彼岸) is 'Shigan' (此岸), meaning the 'Near Shore'. Higan is the Pure Land (the World of Buddha), whereas Shigan is our world (the World of the Living). At equinox day and night are of equal length, and thus the world is in perfect balance.
In Japan, today, March 23, is the last day of the equinoctial week (Higan Ake in Japanese). #higanake #higan #equinoctialweek #fedibird
本日3月23日は彼岸明けです。 #higanake #higan #equinoctialweek #fedibird
In Japan, today, March 17, is the first day of the equinoctial week (Higan Iri/Higan no Iri in Japanese). #higaniri #higan #equinoctialweek #fedibird
本日3月17日は彼岸入りです。 #higaniri #higan #equinoctialweek #fedibird
