Notes:
ancestor: 祖先 (そせん)
grave: 墓 (はか)
incense: 香 (こう)
altar: 祭壇 (さいだん)
cemetery: 墓地 (ぼち)

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In different cultures around the world, similar traditions exist to remember and honor ancestors, much like Japan’s Obon festival in August. In China, there’s the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, usually in April. Families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean the tombs, offer food, and burn incense.

In Mexico, there’s the famous “Día de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” in early November. Families create altars with photos, foods, and items loved by those who have passed away, celebrating their lives with music and festivities.

In the United States and England, while there isn’t a specific festival like Obon, Memorial Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the U.K. are days to honor those who have died, particularly in military service. People visit cemeteries, lay wreaths, and hold memorial services.

Each of these traditions, from Obon to Memorial Day, reflects a universal desire to connect with and remember our ancestors, showing respect and love across different cultures.
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Schools start in April. Universities start in April. New employees start working in April. There are entrance ceremonies all around the country. April is the month when everything begins in Japan. Not all the world is like this however. The school year starts in late August or September in most European countries and in North America. In the southern part of the world, the school year often starts in January or February. In fact, I could only find two countries where the school year starts in April, Nepal and Pakistan. South Korea is not so different from Japan. Its school year starts in March. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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