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Japanese people living in olden times had a deep emotional attachment to the moon,
which played a mystical role in their lives, since its changing shape acted as their calendar. The full moon was especially loved as the most beautiful of all things. As the most beautiful of all full moons could be viewed during mid-Autumn (the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar) when the air was clear; in the Heian Period (794-1192) the custom of holding banquets while admiring the moon become common. People enjoyed the bright harvest moon while composing Waka (31-syllable Japanese poems), listening to music, and drinking on boat rides watching the moon’s reflection in the moving water at moon parties, called Mizuki and Tsukinoutage. Today’s moon viewing parties are marked with decorations of Japanese pampas grass and offerings of dumplings, taro, chestnuts, and green soybeans, as well as sacred sake and other items. An expression of an image of a Heian Period Mizuki party |
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| Tsuki-no-sakazuki, (the cup of the moon) |
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In the Heian Period, they enjoyed the moon‘s reflection in the moving water, (Not to view it directly.) This cup is for Sake. Please take this cup and capture the moon in it. (Can you see the Chinese character for moon emerging?) |
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| Heishi, (a jug to serve sake) |
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This is a jug used to serve sake at banquets. This shape is traditional, but I moulded. it into a modern design. In Japan, We say a rabbit is living on the moon, and she is pounding steamed rice during a full moon. A rabbit jumps, that links success. Pounding links to being congratulated. There is a rabbit hidden in the Heishi. Can you find it? |
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| Tukimidanngo, (moon viewing rice dumpling) |
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During these parties, 15 moon viewing dumplings representing the 15th night of the full moon are generally placed in a triangular shape on a stand; these have been represented in light. |
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| Nasu, (eggplant) |
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In the Nara and Heian Period, It is said people viewed the moon through a hole made in an eggplant and prayed for the posterity and health of their descendants. Would you like to take it in your hands and view that moon. |
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| Osonaemono, (offerings) |
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Moon viewing parties were also harvest festivals when people gave thanks for and wished for bountiful harvests. Seven autumn grasses are displayed with offerings of taro, dumplings, green soybeans, persimmon, and chestnut, amongst other things. | 
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| Uomimi-no-hanaire, (a vase with fish like ears) |
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Pampas grass is offered to the moon. And, this vase has fish shaped ears. |
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