Harvest Moon Viewing 
- September 17h in 2024 -



 


 

Otsukimi (Moon Viewing) in Japan

 

In Japan, since the Heian period (794–1185), people among the noble class started to enjoy admiring the moon on the Lunar 15th of August. This custom came from China.

Moon viewing became popular among citizens in the Edo period (1603–1868). Since then people have put Japanese pampas, dumplings, and other things on the porch and other places where they can see the moon, and enjoy moon-viewing.

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Offerings for Moon Viewing

 

The decorations are various, depending on the area. Usually, people offer dumplings that look like the full moon and Japanese pampas grass where they can see the moon.
 

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You’d better see the moon on the lunar 13th of September?

 

In Japan, people used to say that if you see the harvest moon, you have to see the moon on the lunar 13th of September (15th of October this year, 2024), or it is inauspicious.
*The lunar 15th of August is the harvest moon, it is not always the full moon.)

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Why on the Lunar 15th of August?

 

In Autumn and Winter, the air is the driest and clear of the year, so you can see the moon very clearly. Also, it is not so chilly even at night time.
For these reasons, people started to have the custom of moon viewing.
The harvest moon is called “Chushu-no-Meigetsu (中秋の名月)” or “Jugo-ya(十五夜)”. “Chushu-no-Meigetsu” means “the beautiful moon on the middle day of August in the lunar calender”.

“Jugo-ya” also means “the middle day of the month in the lunar calender (in this case the middle day of August).

Yes, Japanese people say that the Lunar 15th of August is the night that you can see the most beautiful moon of the year!

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Moon Viewing in Kagoshima

 

In Kagoshima, some districts still have the custom that everyone from children to old people gather on this night and sumo-wrestle and play at tug-of-war.

In recent years, the continuation of these events has been threatened in some areas due to a lack of successors. This is a traditional event to give thanks for a good harvest. It is definitely worth seeing at least once.
The following is a list of typical Kagoshima’s Jugoya events.

Even if you don’t see it listed below, some local community centers hold their own Jugoya events, so please look through the local announcements.
 

 

JUGOYA SORAYOI (十五夜そらよい)

 

This event is a traditional event held on the night of the lunar 15th of August, when boys wear straw hats and waistcoats and stamp their feet on the ground while shouting “Sorayoi, Sorayoi” to thank the gods of the earth for a bountiful harvest.
Tug of war and sumo wrestling are also held.
Date & Time: This year’s Jugoya Sorayoi in Ukibe area will not be held.
Place: Ukibe Area, Higashi-beppu, Kori, Chiran Town, Minami-kyushu City
Prefectural website (Japanese):https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/al01/event/nannsatu/r5-9-29-15yasorayoi.html
 

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SORAYOI (そらよい)

 

On the lunar 15th of August night, boys between the ages from 7 to 14 wear straw hats and waistcoats and stamp their feet on the ground with the call of “Sorayoi, Sorayoi” to wish and thank the god of the earth for a good harvest.
Tug of war and sumo wrestling are also held.
Date & Time: September 17 (Tue) 7:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
Place: Nakafukura Elementary School, Nagasato, Chiran Town, Minami-kyushu City
Prefectural Website (Japanese):
https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab10/kyoiku-bunka/bunka/museum/shichoson/minamikyusyu/jugoya.html
 

Map

 

 

MOON VIEWING DANCE (Jugoya-odori / 十五夜踊り)・DONTOSE (ドントセ)・LIGHTING FIRE (Hi-toboshi / 火とぼし)

 

These are unique Jugoya events, handed down throughout Minami-Satsuma, that offer thanksgiving for the harvest at the full moon.

The Jugoya Sumo, Jugoya Odori (dance), Hi-Toboshi (making a torch with pine needles on a bamboo pole and swinging it in a circular motion), and Otsukisan-zukuri (making a circle in the shape of the moon by connecting short ropes) are all nationally important intangible folk cultural assets of each district.
 

Date: September 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun) Sunset ~ 9:00 pm
Place: Tomari area, Bonotsu town, Minami-Satsuma City
*Jugoya Sumo and other events
 

Date:September 14(Sat) & 15(Sun)
                 14th 3:00 pm~ 10:00 pm / 15th (main festival) 5:00 pm ~
Place: Torigoe area, Bo, Bonotsu town, Minami-Satsuma city
*Tug of war, Jugoyodori, etc. (This year, the Hi-toboshi will not be held.)
 

Date:September 17th(Tue) 3:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
Place:Tomari area, Bonotsu town, Minami-Satsuma City
*Jugoya Sumo and other events

 

Date:September 14(Sat) & 15(Sun) 3:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm
Place:Kaminobo area, Bo, Bonotsu town, Minami-Satsuma City
*Hi-toboshi, making the moon, etc.

 

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STAR WATCHING “AUTUMN MOON VIWEING” (スターウォッチング「仲秋の名月観月会」)

 

In addition to the moon-viewing event, an otsukimi concert and storytelling will be held at the Amami Shonen Shizen-no Ie.
Date:This year’s event was cancelled due to the expected impact of a typhoon.
Place:Amami Shonen Shizen-no Ie
Website (Japanese):
http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/bc09/kikan/amami/jigyo/honnen_jigyou/r5starwatchingtyusyunomeigetu.html
 

Map

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The Yoshino Park Moon Viewing Events

 

Kagoshima Prefectural Yoshino Park will extend its closing hours on September 15 and will be open until 9:00 pm. On this day, there will be a moon-viewing event, an otsukimi concert, an otsukimi market, and other events to enjoy viewing the moon.

Yoshino Park Event Page: https://yoshinopark.jp/event/%E4%BB%A4%E5%92%8C6%E5%B9%B49%E6%9C%88
 

Otsukimi Market
Booths of handmade and recycled goods will line the streets. There will also be a kitchen cars.
Date & Time: September 15 (Sun) 10:00 am ~ 4:00 pm
Place: From the main entrance of Yoshino Park to the front of the fountain
 

Otsukimi Concert
Tenpuku (an old vertical flute traditional in Kagoshima) performance, guitar performance, and Ryukyu Kokusai Matsuri Taiko drumming will color the moonlit night with music.
Date & Time: September 15 (Sun) 5:30 pm ~
Place: Pergola Rest Area
Free admission
 

Harvest Moon Viewing
With the cooperation of the Astronomical Society of Japan, participants will be able to view the moon through a large telescope.
Date: September 15 (Sun) 6:30pm ~ 8:30pm
Place: Yoshino Park Main Entrance
*Free of charge (anyone can participate)
 

(Map)

 

 

 

 

 

Category : Japanese Culture , text @en

Tag : 24 divisions of the solar year , 24sekki , corona virus , COVID-19 , COVID19 , Emergency , Japanese culture , season , tanabata , The coronavirus , 日本の文化

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