Tsukimi

Tsukimi(月見)orOtsukimi(お月見), meaning, "moon-viewing", are Japanese festivals honoring the autumn moon, a variant of theMid-Autumn Festival. The celebration of thefull moontypically takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditionalJapanese calendar, known asJūgoya(十五夜,fifteenth night);thewaxing moonis celebrated on the 13th day of the ninth month, known asJūsan'ya(十三夜,thirteenth night). These days normally fall in September and October of the modernsolar calendar.
The tradition dates to theHeian era,and is now so popular in Japan that some people repeat the activities for several evenings following the appearance of the full moon during the eighth lunisolar month.
Tsukimi traditions include displayingdecorationsmade fromJapanese pampas grass(susuki) and eating rice dumplings calledTsukimidangoin order to celebrate the beauty of the Moon.Seasonal produce are also displayed as offerings to the Moon.Sweet potatoesare offered to the full moon, while beans or chestnuts are offered to the waxing moon the following month. The alternate names of the celebrations,Imomeigetsu(meaning "potato harvest moon") andMamemeigetsu(meaning "bean harvest moon") orKurimeigetsu(meaning "chestnut harvest moon") are derived from these offerings.
Tsukimi refers to the Japanese tradition of holding parties to view theharvest moon. The custom is thought to have originated with Japanese aristocrats during theHeian period; influenced by the Chinese custom ofMid-Autumn Festival,they would gather to recitepoetryunder the full moon of the eighth month of thesolar calendar, known as the "Mid-Autumn Moon"(中秋の名月,chūshū no meigetsu).On the evening of the full moon, it is traditional to gather in a place where the Moon can be seen clearly, decorate the scene with Japanese pampas grass, and to serve white rice dumplings (known asTsukimi dango),taro,edamame,chestnutsand other seasonal foods, plussakeas offerings to the Moon in order to pray for an abundant harvest. These dishes are known collectively as Tsukimi dishes(月見料理,tsukimi ryōri). Due to the ubiquity of sweet potato or taro among these dishes, the tradition is known as Imomeigetsu(芋名月)or "Potato harvest moon."
From 862 until 1683, the Japanese calendar was arranged so that the full moon fell on the 13th day of each month. In 1684, however, the calendar was altered so that thenew moonfell on the first day of each month, moving the full moon two days later, to the 15th day of the month. While some people inEdo(present-dayTokyo) shifted their Tsukimi activities to the 15th day of the month, others continued to observe the festival on the 13th day. Furthermore, there were various regional observances in some parts of Japan on the 17th day of the month, as well as Buddhist observances on the 23rd or the 26th day, all of which were used as pretexts for often late-night parties during the autumn throughout theEdo period. This custom was brought to a swift end during theMeiji period.
Festivals dedicated to the Moon have a long history in Japan. During theHeian periodelements of theChineseMid-Autumn Festivalwere introduced to Japan. Members of the aristocratic class would hold moon-viewing events aboard boats in order to view the Moon's reflection on the surface of the water. The writing ofwakapoetry was also an element of such mid-autumn Moon viewing festivities.
There are specific terms in Japanese to refer to occasions when the Moon is not visible on the traditional mid-autumn evening, including Mugetsu(無月, "no-moon")and Ugetsu(雨月, "rain-moon"). Even when the Moon is not visible, however, Tsukimi parties are held. A Unicodeemojiexists for Tsukimi (🎑), featuring pampas grass, dango and the Moon.
It is traditional to serve Tsukimidangoand seasonal produce offerings during Tsukimi, as described above. In addition, there are several other dishes associated with Tsukimi.
Boiledsobaorudonnoodles topped withnoriand raw egg, then covered with broth are known asTsukimi sobaorTsukimi udon. InKitakyushuan egg served atopyaki udonis known asTenmado, another name for Tsukimi in the local dialect. Similarly when a raw quail egg is used to top sushi, like battleship sushigunkanzushior a handrolltemakiit is referred to as tsukimi style.
At some Japanese fast food restaurants, a special Fall Menu is offered during September and October featuringfried eggsandwiches known asTsukimi burgers.