迎むかえ火び

noun

welcoming fire for returning spirits

A small fire lit on the evening of the first day of the Bon festival (usually August 13th) to guide the spirits of ancestors back home. Contrasts with 送り火 (okuribi), the sending-off fire on the last day.

See also: お盆

Antonyms: 送り火

• お盆ぼんの初しょ日にちには、家いえの前まえで迎むかえ火びを焚たきます。

  On the first day of Bon, we light a welcoming fire in front of the house.