This summer, Skull Dogs Media visited the Obon Festival at Como Zoo

In Japan, Obon is an annual celebration to honor and remember the ancestors, marked by lanterns set afloat on water to guide the spirits home.

We filmed a few moments to practice with our 50mm lens, from lighting and releasing lanterns, to the Seiryukan Dojo’s battojutsu swordsmanship performance, and a quick demo of Japanese archery. This video isn’t a full showcase, but a small glimpse into a beautiful event filled with remembrance, tradition, and community.