The Tsukimi Moon Viewing Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Japan, more than 1,000 years old. </span >
Like in Vietnam, Japan also uses the lunar calendar according to which the full moon will appear on the 15th night. every month. The most beautiful moonlit night every year is the night of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, called jugoya no tsukimi, which is also the day that Tsukimi takes place.
According to the long-standing culture of Japan, Tsukimi also has The meaning of watching the moon is also an opportunity for people to express gratitude to the gods after a bountiful harvest and pray for good things for the next crop. That’s why it is also called the harvest festival or Mid-Autumn Festival. It was widely celebrated throughout the country.
Many records show that the custom Moon gazing Tsukimi originated from China and was first introduced to Japan during the Heian period. Tsukimi according to the lunar calendar usually falls in September or October every year. The moon on the night of jugoya no tsukimi is not always full, but it is said that the moon on this night is the brightest and most beautiful of the year.
Even though the mid-autumn harvest festival is said to be Originated in the Nara period (710 to 794 AD) but it was not until the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD) that this festival became popular when aristocrats traveled on the water by boat to admire Beautiful reflection of moonlight on the water.
Similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival in China and Vietnam, you will see many images Rabbits are depicted on items associated with the Tsukimi festival. The Japanese say that if you look closely at the moon, you will see an image of a rabbit pounding mochi (rice cake – a famous cake in Japan) with a wooden mallet and mortar.
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Rabbit is a spirit object associated with the Tsukimi festival. Photo source: Bokksu
Until the Meiji period (1868 AD) Tsukimi was celebrated very A feast is usually a celebration with parties lasting late into the evening. However, it was later adjusted to suit modern customs. Many temples across Japan celebrate the Tsukimi event with performances such as: Traditional dance and poetry recitals from the Heian period.
In most Japanese homes Tsukimi is organized in a much more modest way. People decorate objects such as pampas grass (susuki), clover (hagi) and autumn flowers near their windows from which they can view the moon.
The most traditional dish associated with Tsukimi is called tsukimi dango, a type of cake made from rice. Tsukimi dango has a simple round shape with pure white color.
Japanese people believe that the round shape of tsukimi dango corresponds to good things; They eat tsukimi dango with the intention of praying for health and happiness. A plate of tsukimi dango is usually arranged into 3 layers: 1st layer has 9 pieces, 2nd layer has 4 pieces, and 3rd layer has 2 pieces. A total of 15 tablets represent the 15th night of the month. Others arrange a plate of tsukimi dango with 12 pieces, each representing a month of the year.
There are also typical autumn dishes such as chestnut mochi (kuri), taro (sato imo) and pumpkin (kabocha).
Like the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, Tsukimi is also an occasion for reunion of every Japanese family. Children who go far away often return home on this occasion to gather with their families to enjoy the moon together and wear kimonos to go to festivals.
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