Bon Festival gifts（Ochugen)
A summer greeting sent as a token of gratitude to those who have taken care of us on a daily basis. It is generally given between early July and the 15th in eastern Japan, and between mid-July and August 15 in western Japan. Originally, “Chugen” was one of the “three Yuan” (January 15 is Shang Yuan, July 15 is Chugen, and October 15 is Shimo Yuan), which is dedicated to the Taoist god of heaven in China. When it was introduced to Japan, it was confused with the Buddhist Urabon festival, and became a day to offer offerings to the spirits of ancestors.
