The Eggplant Ox: Meaning Behind Japan’s Obon Ritual
If you visit Japan during the humid heat of mid-August, you might encounter a peculiar sight. Perched on household altars, tucked into temple corners, or even sitting on the steps of rural homes, you will find vegetables that have been transformed into animals. Specifically, you will see a cucumber with four legs and an eggplant standing on chopstick stilts.
While they may look like children’s crafts, these are profound spiritual vessels known as Shoryo Uma (Spirit Horses). Among them, the “Eggplant Ox,” or Nasu no Ushi (茄子の牛), plays a vital, bittersweet role in the Japanese Festival of the Dead, known as Obon. This guide explores the deep cultural significance of this humble vegetable ox and what it tells us about the Japanese approach to life, death, and memory.
The Origins of Shoryo Uma
To understand the Eggplant Ox, one must first understand Obon. Celebrated for over 500 years, Obon is a fusion of ancient ancestral worship and Buddhist practices. It is a time when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, allowing the spirits of ancestors to return to their earthly homes to visit their families.
The tradition of creating animals out of summer vegetables is born from Japan’s deep agrarian roots. Before modern transportation, horses and oxen were the primary means of travel and labor. Farmers used what was readily available—the summer harvest—to create symbolic vehicles for their beloved deceased.
While the custom varies by region, the standard pairing found in most of mainland Japan consists of the Cucumber Horse (Kyuri no Uma) and the Eggplant Ox (Nasu no Ushi). These are placed on the butsudan (family altar) or a special bon-dana shelf constructed specifically for the holiday.
The Legend and Symbolism: Why an Ox?
The symbolism of the Eggplant Ox is a poetic metaphor for the complex emotions of grief and love. The two spirit animals serve opposite functions based on their speed.
The Fast Arrival
The Cucumber Horse is sleek and green, representing a fast steed. Families wish for their ancestors to return home as quickly as possible to maximize their time together. The cucumber represents speed and urgency—a spiritual express train bringing loved ones back to the realm of the living.
The Slow Departure
The Eggplant Ox, by contrast, is round, stout, and slow. The eggplant represents a cow or ox. When the Obon festival concludes, usually around August 16th, families wish for their ancestors to leave as slowly as possible.
Furthermore, the Ox serves a practical purpose in the spiritual narrative. Families offer food, drinks, and gifts to the spirits during their stay. The sturdy Eggplant Ox is believed to carry these heavy loads of souvenirs back to the netherworld. It represents a reluctance to say goodbye and a desire to ensure the spirits are well-supplied for their journey back.
Modern Culture and Variations
While Japan is a hyper-modern society, the tradition of the Eggplant Ox remains resilient, though it has evolved. In traditional households, families still buy fresh vegetables and insert legs made of disposable chopsticks or hemp reeds (ogara).
However, in urban centers like Tokyo, you can now find pre-made versions sold in supermarkets, crafted from straw or even plastic, catering to those who may not have time to make them by hand but still wish to honor the custom.
Interestingly, the concept has seen creative modern interpretations. Social media in Japan often buzzes during Obon with pictures of “modern” Spirit Horses. Creative descendants have been known to carve vegetables into the shapes of sports cars, motorcycles, or even airplanes, joking that their ancestors would prefer a faster ride than an ox. Despite these playful twists, the core sentiment remains: a deep, abiding respect for those who came before.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing Obon
If you are a traveler looking to witness this unique cultural aspect of Japan, here is how to do so respectfully:
- Timing is Key: Obon takes place in mid-August (usually 13th–16th) in most of Japan, though some regions (like parts of Tokyo) celebrate in mid-July based on the solar calendar.
- Where to Look: You won’t usually see these in high-traffic tourist hubs. Visit local residential temples or look for decorations near the entrances of traditional homes in classic neighborhoods like Yanaka in Tokyo or the rural areas of Kyoto.
- Etiquette: If you see an Eggplant Ox left by a riverbank or on a roadside (a practice called shoryo nagashi, where spirits are sent off), do not touch or disturb it. These are sacred offerings.
- Supermarkets: A great, non-intrusive way to see the culture is to visit a local grocery store in early August. You will see special displays for Obon goods, including the hemp reeds used for the legs of the animals.
Sources & Further Reading
The concepts of Obon and ancestral worship are deeply rooted in Japanese history. For those interested in the historical and religious texts that underpin these beliefs, the following provide essential context:
- The Ullambana Sutra: The primary Buddhist text that establishes the origin of Obon and the practice of making offerings to relieve the suffering of ancestors.
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): While not mentioning eggplants specifically, this 8th-century text establishes the early Japanese worldview regarding the Yomi no Kuni (World of the Dead) and the distinct separation between the living and spirit realms.
- Kunio Yanagita’s Folklore Studies: For a detailed look at how agrarian customs like the Shoryo Uma evolved from farm life into religious standard practice.
The Eggplant Ox is more than just a vegetable; it is a vehicle for memory, a symbol of lingering love, and a testament to the Japanese desire to care for family members even after they have passed on.