Hello Everyone!

In this series of articles, we’d like to focus on Japanese traditional & seasonal event. Today’s topic will be an “Otsukimi”, a moon viewing for harvest day.

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Japan is well known for its seasonal customs and events. One of the most popular events in autumn is Otsukimi (also called “jugoya”).

Japanese pampas grass and the Moon

“Jugoya” or “otsukimi” are the Japanese names for the full-moon festival held in either September or October. Japanese people often hold parties to celebrate the beauty of the full moon. It is like a harvest festival.

The moon of this day is called Jugoya (the 15th night), Imo-meigetsu (potato harvest moon), and Chushu-no-meigetsu (mid-autumn moon). Dango (rice dumplings), susuki (Japanese pampas grass), and seasonal food such as sweet potatoes are displayed as offerings when viewing the moon.

The tradition originally came from China. It first arrived in Japan during the Heian period. Japanese aristocrats gathered to recite poetry under the full moon of August 15th by the traditional Japanese calendar. Later it was spread further among common people. As it was held in the harvest season, it became an autumn thanksgiving event.

Tsukimi Dango (literally ‘moon-viewing dumplings’) are round dumplings that you traditionally eat in Japan during the moon viewing festival (tsukimi) which is usually held in mid-September. The traditional sweets are often arranged in a pyramid-shaped pile.

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Japan has many seasonal foods and traditional Japanese sweets. As Japan’s leading culinary school in Tokyo, we are open for anyone who’s interested in Japanese Dishes. Please check our menu and class schedule below, and please feel free to contact us for your inquiry!

https://abccooking-t.jp/travel/japan/

(Source of today’s article: http://english.cheerup.jp/article/3733)