Tsukimi

Yesterday was the full moon.

Japan has long celebrated full moons with Tsukimi [moon viewing], much like the Hanami in spring. There are organized events, with matcha and mochi to sip and snack, and music. While there were several organized Tsukimi around Wadayama yesterday, the weather was horrible. Rainy and cloudy. So Aaron and I traipsed down to Himeji [after checking the weather report] to watch the moon rise over Himeji Castle.

There were few other watchers, and no organized events. This left the Himeji Castle Park incredibly open and welcoming. We walked around in the moonlight, stumbling across a few other people. It was beautiful and serene.

In the Western world we talk about the man in the moon. I've never really seen it, but there you go. Here in Japan, it's the rabbit in the moon, and he's pounding mochi. I can see the rabbit, but I have a hard time with the mochi part. Pretty spiffy.