Tooro Nagashi - Lantern Festival to the river

Do you know the Japanese festival where lanterns are placed floating on the river? This festival is called Tooro Nagashi [灯籠流し] and in this article, we will talk about this famous Japanese festival.

The word “tooroo” [灯籠] means lantern and the word “nagashi” [流し] means cruise or flow. Generally, the tooros are made from a styrofoam sheet or pin board, bamboo, colored paper to write the name of the honoree, and a candle.

In 1946, in the city of Tokyo, Japan, the Recovery Festival (now called Tooro Nagashi) took place, where about 3,000 shining paper lanterns were launched into the Sumida River.

In Japan, the most famous Tooro Nagashi is in Nagasaki, which occurs during the Tanabata festival.

Origin of the Tooro Nagashi Festival

The city was in economic ruin after World War II, and such lanterns launched would be to commemorate the souls of the dead, a way to honor them and thank them. For 40 years, the event was suspended from 1965 to 2005.

Celebrated between August 13 and 15, according to Buddhist beliefs, it is marked by the return of the spirits of ancestors to their homes to reunite with their families.

The Tooro Nagashi marks the end of the Obon period (a holiday similar to the Day of the Dead for Brazilians), usually takes place at dusk, where families bid farewell to the souls of their ancestors with their bright lanterns with the names of the deceased written on them and also messages, with the purpose of illuminating their return and spreading peace.

Unlike the Day of the Dead, which celebrates mourning, the Festival is usually a joyful celebration and concludes Japan’s longest holiday, which includes 5 significant and globally known events starting with the Welcome Fire; Offering drinks, food, and sweets; Visits to the grave and cleaning; Bon Odori; and finally Tooro Nagashi).

Tooro Nagashi in Brazil

In Brazil, the state of São Paulo (where a large number of Japanese and descendants are concentrated), the city of Registro was a pioneer in celebrating Tooro Nagashi, held on the first two days of November due to the Day of the Dead, in 1955.

The celebration grew, and as it was structured, the Nipo-Brasileira Cultural Association of Registro – Bunkyo began to lead the organization of the event, thus no longer being restricted only to ancestors but also honoring the victims of accidents on the BR – 116 highway.

The Tooro Nagashi ended up leaving the Buddhist belief and became an ecumenical ritual integrating various religions and was incorporated into the calendar of the city of Registro/SP.

What do you think of this festival from Japan? Have you heard of it? If you liked the article, don’t forget to share and leave your comments. To finish, let’s leave a video about Tooro Nagashi:

Embedded video (YouTube)

Embedded video (YouTube)