World War II Memories

From around August 6th to around August 15th, we have a kind of a series of World War II memorial days. TV broadcast many memorial programs. Memorial gatherings are organized by leftisits and rightists as well. Memorial feelings come to its uplift during this time of the year. The latter half of the season overlaps with the Bon Festival, Buddhist All Souls' Day, during which we visit our family tombs and invite the spirits of our ancestors to our homes. After the celebration is over, the spirits are sent back to the yonder world. The custom helps highlight the memorial feelings. Another reason why we prefer looking back to the past during the season might be that memories of persecutions are less bitter than those of assaults.