" Moon viewing "

　

We Japanese have a custom named "Otsukimi" (which means "Moon viewing" in English) in autumn. When we look at the moon, we offer "Japanese pampas grass", "Taros" and "Dumplings". I made a theme to this. Well, first, why is there a rabbit in it? It's because ancient Japanese said that a rabbit is making rice cake on a full moon. (In Japan, ancient people thought a part of moon shadow looked like a rabbit. Like a witch in England, various kinds of things in each country.) "Taro" is one of the important crops in Japan, and we offer it after a crop in good condition in autumn. Or, because its round shape looks like a moon. "Dumpling" is a sweet and soft rice cake. Rice is the staple food for Japanese so it is the most important crop in Japan and it's also harvested in autumn. Both of them are thank offerings for harvest. Then, why are they offered to the moon? It's because ancient Japanese made good use of it for the old calendar because of its regularity on full and wane. SO, those thank offerings are also for the moon. Isn't it a tradition that agricultural people do? A moon viewing is a refined custom and I like it very much. Dumplings that my grand-ma made were especially nice and I was looking forward to eating it every year. The rabbit that leaped out of the moon is dancing joyfully with dumplings. It might be disguised as me! translated by CHIE KATAYAMA