We are proud to welcome you to our annual Toro Nagashi lantern ceremony in Jackson Park’s Osaka Garden. We hope to invite you to join us in this meaningful ceremony to process the loss of loved ones, and to strengthen our bonds as a community.
Only 300 registrants will be allowed into the space and will receive a lantern. Available lanterns are limited, please register well in advance. You may decorate and craft your lantern into any design they wish on-site from 7:00-8:00pm with the community.
The ceremony of Toro Nagashi (literally, “floating lanterns”) is a Buddhist tradition held to celebrate the end of Obon season. Toro Nagashi can be a smaller family affair to remember lost family members or a much bigger event to memorialize those who have been lost to natural disasters, war, and other causes. Toro Nagashi officially begins at the moment the ancestors commence their return to the spirit world. Communities come together to guide the spirits down to the water using traditional candle-lit lanterns (toro). The lanterns visually represent the spirits’ drifting home.
Lanterns will be floated in the waters of the Osaka Garden pond, and can be placed throughout the Garden, Yoko Ono’s SKYLANDING, along with the sounds of shamisen courtesy of renowned musician Toyoaki Sanjuro of Asian Improv Arts Midwest will comfort guests throughout the evening. This year coincides with the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. To this day one of the largest Toro Nagashi ceremonies in Japan is held there to pay respect to the lives lost as a result of the bombing.
No dogs, food, or photography is permitted in the Osaka Garden. Thank you for helping us be great stewards of this historic gem in Chicago! This event is free and accessible to all, capacity permitting.
We recommend parking in the Hayes Lot south of the garden, or on Stony Island.