Otsukimi - August 15Otsukimi is a festival held on roughly the 15th of September every year for everyone to celebrate the beauty of the clear, full moon. The moon has been important to Japanese people for a very long time and it is a time where everyone can pray for a good rice harvest and bring offerings. In September, potatoes are offered to the full moon but in October it is custom to offer beams and chestnuts to the Jusan-ya (13 day old moon). In some regions people will place 15 small round rice dumplings, piled in a pyramid on a small stand. People can take the offerings as it's seen as a sign from God.
For many years moon-viewing was to give thanks for a plentiful harvest and Japanese people took part in it all over Japan but it's becoming less popular in the cities due to the lights and tall buildings blocking the view. Moon-viewing came from China in the Heian period. By Steph |
Otsukimi is a Japanese festival that is held on August 15th on the lunar calendar. On the modern calendar, it is on September 12th this year. But it changes every year on the lunar calendar. It originated in China and came to Japan sometime in the early Heian Period (794-1185). It is thought that the humidity and the crisp air of early fall is perfect for moon viewing. The festival is celebrated in a quiet manner. Susuki (pampas grass) or other autumn flowers are decorated in a vase. Dango (dumplings) and satoimo (taro potatoes) are offered to the moon. Tsukimi is celebrated to appreciate the full moon because the autumn sky is clear. When they look for the moon, they look for a picture of rabbit making rice cakes. Plain dumplings are stacked on a tray instead of skewered. McDonalds in Japan sell ‘Tsukimi-burgers’ which has egg inside that represents the moon.
by Kylee |