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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tsukimi - Moon Viewing

The Japanese custom of Tsukimi (月見), moon viewing is traditionally held in mid-September when the moon is at its best and most beautiful in Japan. This custom is celebrated throughout Japan and is believed to have originated in China and introduced to Japan during the Heian period (794-1192).

Japanese people usually celebrate Tsukimi by displaying autumn flowers and susuki (pampas grass) in a vase. They also offer dango (dumplings) and satoimo (taro potato) to the moon in an altar. People also enjoy looking at the moon and enjoying its beauty at this time of the year. With the clear autumn sky and crisp days and nights the moon appears especially beautiful.


You will find kind a lot of dishes around this time of the year featuring Tsukimi. One of my favourites is Tsukimi-udon, which is udon noodles in a hot soup topped with an egg, which resembles the moon.

Tsukimi Udon from Ivva
How do I usually celebrate Tsukimi? That will be in the next post, so stay tuned.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    I miss Tsukimi. I like udon so much and would like to eat it now. :)

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    1. Japan-AustraliaSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:34 AM

      Thanks Cocomino, You will be home sooner than you think and then will be able to enjoy some great udon. Look forward to enjoying your experiences in Helsinki :)

      John

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  2. Mori LiiSeptember 14, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    The Tsukimi Udon looks very tasty! I really enjoy reading your entries, because you reveal so much information about Japan. I have learned a lot!

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    1. Japan-AustraliaSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:36 AM

      Thanks Panda Ninja, I am very passionate about Japan and love spreading the word about Japan and Japanese culture. Glad to hear you enjoy my posts and stay tuned for many more to come :)

      John

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  3. RuroushaSeptember 14, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    It feels strange to talk about a harvest moon when it's still mid-summer hot. (Tokyo's daytime temperatures hovered above 30 this entire week.)

    I don't know how you celebrate Tsukimi, but might it perchance involve beer? :D

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    1. Japan-AustraliaSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:40 AM

      Thanks Rurousha, Yeah, I hear it is still hot around Japan. Hopefully it will start to cool down soon. Surprisingly, it doesn't involve beer, so you will have to stay tuned :)

      John

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  4. zoomingjapanSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    Wow, is it already that time of the year again?
    I love "tsukimi food", I guess because I love eggs on my Japanese food? ;)

    Thanks for this great post!
    Can't wait for the next one! ^-^

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    1. Japan-AustraliaSeptember 14, 2012 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks Zooming Japan, This year has flown by and it will soon be 2013! You got to have Tsukimi Udon and Soba this time of year as well as my favourite which will be revealed in my next post :)

      John

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  5. UnknownSeptember 15, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    It is still mid-Summer temps here and looks like Summer will stay until the end of September. Seems lik Autumn is never coming

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    1. Japan-AustraliaSeptember 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM

      Thanks Thomas, It will come and it will be a sudden change. I hope it is sooner rather than later :)

      John

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