In this article inspired by Miki's blog, learn about the autumn tradition in Japan called Tsukimi, or "moon viewing." Discover the Japanese version of the man in the moon and some ways that the tradition has influenced Japanese dishes. In addition to learning all about these autumn festivities in Japan, pick up a ton of fantastic Japanese vocabulary and phrases that will help you talk about what you do during this special time in Japan! If you're ever in Japan during autumn, you'll be glad you read this article!

Vocabulary: In this article, you'll learn the following words and phrases:

kazaru - "to decorate, to ornament, to adorn"

nagameru - "to view, to gaze at"

tatoeru - "to compare, to liken, to speak figuratively, to illustrate, to use a simile"

hassoo - "idea, conception"

shinwa - "myth, legend"

kankei - "relation, connection"

nusumu - "to steal"

okashi - "sweets, candy, confectionery"

niteiru - "similar"

midika - "familiar, close"

kimi - "egg yolk"

medamayaki - "sunny-side-up fried eggs"

gentei - "limit, restriction"

dekoboko - "rough, bumpy, uneven"

kage - "shadow"

shuukan - "custom, habit, manners"

hasamu - "to hold something between two things"

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Autumn in Japan
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In Japan, one of the seasonal events of autumn is Tsukimi, or "moon viewing." They decorate a spot with a good view of the moon with dumplings, sake, and pampas grass so that people can enjoy the lunar view. We all know that the moon has the same kind of bumps and craters on its surface as the earth and that they create the shadowy patterns that we see on the moon's surface. But, what do the people in your country say these shadows look like? In Japan they are said to look like a rabbit making rice cakes. A rabbit seems like something out of a cartoon, and the image sounded very Japanese to me. But, in fact, I heard that this story has its roots in an old Indian fable.

In some parts of Japan, moon viewing "robberies" are performed on moon viewing night. This custom involves stealing dumplings prepared by the children. Stealing dumplings is permitted only on these nights. But over time, this custom has changed a bit. In some areas now, children go from house to house, and instead of just stealing the dumplings, they announce their arrival by saying "moon viewing burglar." Then the dumplings are given to them willingly. Sounds a lot like Halloween, doesn't it?

You can even do a little bit of moon viewing right on your dinner plate. The type of soba or udon noodles with a raw egg broken into the soup is called Tsukimi Soba or Tsukimi Udon because the egg yolk looks just like a full moon in your bowl. And, at McDonalds in Japan there is even a special hamburger with a fried egg in the middle, called the Tsukimi Burger, which they sell only in the fall.

Question
What do they compare craters of the moon to?

Answer
It is compared to a rabbit pounding a rice cake.

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