迎(むか)え火(び)

むかえび
noun
welcoming fire (lit at start of Obon)
culturereligion
1. welcoming fire (lit at the start of Obon)
A small fire lit at the entrance of the home on the first evening of Obon to guide the spirits of ancestors back to the family. Traditionally made by burning ogara (hemp stalks).
玄関先(げんかんさき)で迎(むか)え火(び)を焚(た)いた。
We lit a welcoming fire at the front entrance.
祖母(そぼ)は毎年(まいとし)お盆(ぼん)の初日(しょにち)に迎(むか)え火(び)を用意(ようい)する。
My grandmother prepares the welcoming fire every year on the first day of Obon.
先祖(せんぞ)の霊(れい)が道(みち)に迷(まよ)わないように迎(むか)え火(び)を焚(た)く習慣(しゅうかん)がある。
There is a custom of lighting a welcoming fire so that ancestral spirits don't lose their way.

Composed of 迎(むか)える (to welcome) + 火(ひ) (fire). Lit on August 13 (or July 13 in some regions) at the start of Obon. The counterpart fire on the last evening, used to send the spirits back, is called 送(おく)り火(び).

Common collocations

Cultural note

During Obon, ancestral spirits are believed to return home for a few days. The welcoming fire marks the entrance so spirits can find their way. Traditional materials are 麻(あさ)の茎(くき) (hemp stalks, called 苧殻(おがら)) or pine kindling.

Similar words

  • 送(おく)り火(び): send-off fire — lit at the end of Obon to send spirits back
  • 灯籠流(とうろうなが)し: floating lanterns — another way of sending off spirits, by river or sea

Related Words

Compare: 送(おく)り火(び) (send-off fire)
general
Added 2026.6.8 16:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
28500/28983_mukaebi