Hey guys! Wow, it’s been a crazy summer so far. Between my presentation at Otakon and the World Heritage Tour in Tomioka, I’ve barely had time to paint anything, let alone post. Luckily this weekend I finally had a chance to get out my paints!

Since I arrived back in Japan just in time for Obon, I decided to

do a little painting of this holiday tradition. My friend Haikugirl wrote up a great explanation you can check out!

Basically these are supposed to represent animals and are set out during Obon for the spirits of the ancestors who are honored during this time. The cucumber represents a horse, while the eggplant is a cow or ox. The animals are first set outside, and then displayed on the family altar before being brought to the river.

Have you seen these animals before? Perhaps even set them out yourself? Let me know in the comments, and if you like this post you may like my watercolor of Japanese Daruma dolls from earlier this year!