Buddha's Birthday

Kambutsue ( partly Kanbutsue, Japanese灌 仏 会) is a Buddhist festival, matsuri, which is held in Japan on April 8. Occasion of the celebration of Buddha 's birthday. The occasion of this celebration, held festival is also known as Hana Matsuri, " Flower Festival ". April 8th is the date on which reaches the cherry blossom front Tokyo in about.

In the temples is a Hanamido, " Floral Hall " set up in a flower-bedecked statue of newborn Buddha is situated. The temple visitors bring flowers blossom as a sacrifice and sprinkle the statue's head with Amacha, a tea made ​​from fermented hydrangea leaves. According to legend, it was raining Amacha, was born as the Buddha. The tea is said to have magical powers. He is from evil spirits ( Oni ), protect snakes and insects.

The shrines also arrange festive parades, where the revelers wear colorful kimonos and floats are pulled or carried through the city. Often it is seen on the back of which the Buddha sits child in a litter on the car, a white elephant. The streets are decorated with lanterns and banners, wearing the cherry blossoms as a motive.

As with all Matsuri, there are numerous regional traditions, the festivities in individual temples may differ therefore.