There is an annual Japanese holiday which remembers deceased ancestors. The actual date varies by region but usually falls between mid-July to mid-August. It is not an official holiday, rather a religious and traditional holiday which includes using lanterns to guide the dead, making food offerings to temples and celebrating with dancing. See https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/obon-festival-in-japan
Here is today’s humble haiku which recognizes this holiday, past and future, yet also celebrates the life still happening on this side of existence.
Our First O-bon
our day of the dead
has not yet arrived – still time
to explore this shore
Life Matters 
This “ceremonial” parallels that of Gai Jatra in Kathmandu for the Newar people in Nepal. Usually held in the month of Bhadra which cannot be tied down to a Gregorian date as Nepal uses a lunar calendar. But, usually in August sometime. Have experienced it on a couple of occasions……. Weird!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_Jatra
LikeLiked by 2 people
Forgot to say ….. my wife is a Newar!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_caste_system
LikeLiked by 3 people
I can imagine the story of your initial meeting is very interesting. Have you blogged about this before?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We met in Glasgow, a girl from Kathmandu, a boy from Cumbria. Our “journeys” with an identical but separate cause. Students. That’s it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life-long students, I’m sure.
LikeLike
I like the spirit of this poem. Dead serious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, sometimes it’s just a big sigh………..
LikeLiked by 1 person