Japan’s timeless moon-viewing tradition

The moon has fascinated humans since the dawn of time, and Japan has worshiped the moon for centuries. Moon View (or OtsukiThe Tsuki-mi Festival (Japanese: がそばにおすぎる) is a national holiday in Japan, literally meaning moon-viewing, and usually takes place during the full moon in September. People usually wear yukata, gather at moon-viewing sites, eat rice cakes, and participate in various autumn activities. The purpose of the Tsuki-mi Festival is to give thanks for the year’s good harvest and pray for a safe winter. Moon-viewing customs Otsuki In Japan, this festival has a history of more than 1,000 years and is still a grand festival for Japanese people to welcome the arrival of autumn.

A brief history of Tsukimi

The official celebration of the Tsukimi Festival takes place during the September full moon. It was first celebrated in the Heian period (794–In 1185 AD, Japanese nobles were inspired by the Tang Dynasty’s moon-viewing customs. They would hold moonlit night gatherings, chant music and poetry, and go out to sea at night to admire the moon’s reflection in the water. During this period, people held the Moon Viewing Festival on the night of the 13th day of the eighth lunar month (the full moon night of the old calendar).

Over time, tsukimi became popular among all kinds of people, not just the nobility.–Since 1868, the festival has been associated with autumn traditions, such as giving thanks for the harvest and praying for a fruitful year. With the change of the calendar in 1683, the festival was moved to the 15th. Today, the date of the festival depends on the lunar calendar, but it is usually held in September, which is the best time to see the full moon.

The Symbolism of the Harvest Moon

rabbit

Many Western countries say that there are human footprints on the moon, but Japanese people have heard since childhood that there are two rabbits on the moon pounding rice cakes. This myth is also a play on words, because full moon It is another way of saying full moon, but it is also pronounced similarly to pounding rice cakes. Rabbits are also believed to be animals that drive away evil spirits, and images of rabbits are used a lot in celebrations of the moon-viewing season.

Mochi

The importance of mochi during the Tsuki-mi Festival goes beyond being pounded by the moon rabbit. Mochi is made from rice, and the Tsuki-mi Festival is a celebration of Japan’s rice harvest tradition. Mochi is shaped into round balls called Moon Viewing Dango They were stacked on top of each other as an offering to the gods.

Suki

During the Tsuki-mi festival, people also decorate with silver grass or pampas grass. Silver grass turns a beautiful light golden color in the fall and is often displayed with the tsuki-mi dango because it resembles rice plants.

Egg

Due to their resemblance to the moon, eggs are used in many dishes during the Tsukimi festival. For example, udon noodles topped with egg yolk are called Tsukimi udon because the golden circle adds both flavor and beauty.

How to Celebrate the Moon

There are many ways to enjoy the moon. Many restaurants offer dishes using seasonal ingredients and moon- or rabbit-themed food to get into the mood of autumn moon-viewing. Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree often hold special moon-viewing illuminations, and many major shrines hold special ceremonies.

To celebrate the tsukimi, though, all you really need is a full moon and a pair of eyes. Grab some rice cakes and your loved ones, and look up—you’ve already celebrated the tsukimi.

For a full guide to the best places to enjoy tsukimi in Japan, check out our guide here.

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