This passage comes from page 322 of Curiosities of Popular Customs and of Rites, Ceremonies, Observances, and Miscellaneous Antiquities by William S. Walsh (1925).
Dead, Festival of the (Japanese, Bon Matsuri), in Japan. This is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of July. Foreigners often call it the Feast of Lanterns, from the lanterns which form a prominent feature in the celebration. It is believed that on these days the dead come back and mingle with their relations. Early on the morning of the 13th offerings of fruit and vegetables are laid upon the altars in churches and the little shrines before which the morning and evening prayers are said in every believing home. Clear water is sprinkled from time to time, and tea is poured out every hour for the viewless visitors. So for three days the dead are feasted. At sunset pine torches are kindled to guide their steps, and lanterns are suspended over houses and tombs.
On the third night the ghostly visitants are supposed to return to their abodes, and all the living can do is to speed them on their journey. Little boats, barely a foot in length, are launched on canal, river, or lake, each with a miniature lantern glowing at the prow and incense burning at the stern, and so they are allowed to float down to the sea. A recent law, however, has forbidden the launching of these shoryobuni, or "boats of the blessed ghosts," in the large seaport towns, owing to the danger to the shipping. There is some analogy both in the object of the feast and in the lighting of the lanterns with the Christian feast of All Souls.
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