also: あらぼん · しんぼん
noun
first Bon Festival after a family member's death
Refers to the first Obon (usually in July or August) observed after a person has passed away. It is a significant Buddhist custom in Japan, often involving special memorial services and visits to the family grave.
See also: お盆
今年は祖母の新盆なので、親戚が集まる予定です。
This year is the first Bon Festival since my grandmother passed away, so relatives plan to gather.
新盆の時期には、お寺で特別な法要が行われます。
During the first Bon after a death, special memorial services are held at the temple.
Rarely used reading for this spelling.
お盆 is the general Bon Festival, while 新盆 specifically refers to the first Bon after a family member's death.
Compound of 新 (new, first) and 盆 (Bon Festival). The reading にいぼん uses the native Japanese reading にい for 新, while あらぼん uses あら (new, fresh). しんぼん is the Sino-Japanese reading, but it is rarely used.