Oban

Yesterday I went to work and there were only 4 people in the office. Even the Vice-Principal was absent, which is really rare.
Today I came to work and there was only 1 person in the office. When I opened the door, he looked up and was so surprised to see me (or anyone) there, he forwent the usually automatic "ohayo gozaimasu" for something more along the lines of "eeehhhhh??!"
...
It would have been funny, had I been able to turn right around and go home.
No such luck.

I had forgotten until last night that right now it is Oban in Japan.
Oban is a Budhhist holiday where it is believed that the spirits of the family ancestors will return to the family home. To welcome their arrival, everyone (among the living) will return to the family gravesite to pray and offer encouragement to the spirits on their journey. Then everyone goes home and, as it was explained to me by Yuki, stands outside on their doorstep calling to the ghosts so they do not get confused and lose their way.

I haven't seen any crazy looking people calling names into the street, so I have to take her word on that one.

Sometimes, I am told, the spirits may get lost and end up at the neighbor house.
How exactly you know that Uncle Koki from next door is floating around your living room, I have no idea, but apparently it's a bit of a problem.


On the plus side, at least I can borrow a computer with internet while everyone is gone.

Cheers,

Oban-less Baer