What's that noise?

There's currently some booming going on outside, similar to the cannons they set off on Remembrance Day at home, though I'm not sure what is used to make the noise here. I was just out, and on the corner are a hundred people or so, in white tops and black pants holding flowers. Turns out a monk died today, and the occasional *boom* is to scare off the spirits. 

Never a dull moment,

J.