Obon

Traditional Obon decoration at Horinouchi Myohoji temple symbolizes the returning souls of departed ancestors.

Tokyo Obon starts today July 13th and lasts until the 15th. Obon by itself is a time for visiting graves and welcoming ancestors back to the family altar, but the actual temple ceremony commonly held during Obon is Osegaki.

The English Wikipedia entry for Osegaki is much less helpful, and less accurate, than the Japanese language entry. Suffice to say that in this day and age of Japanese Buddhism, Osegaki is simply a way for temple members to offer prayers and offerings to their departed loved ones out of respect and gratitude, and the hope that their souls, and the souls of all beings living and departed, are free from suffering.