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Tukimi
 

Tsukimi (Moon viewing)

The traditional custom of enjoying the full moon in midautumn.

A special moon-viwing events is traditionally held, on August 15 in the lunar calender, falling around September 29 on the present calendar, when the harvest moon is at its best. It is an occasion for people to pray to the moon for a good harvest rice. People used to offer rice dumplings to the moon together with the seven grasses of autumn, particularly pampas grass (susuki) and clover (hagi). Moon viewing was also an elegant pastime for enjoying a poetic atmosphere. Its orign dates back to the 10th century when nobles and men of letters were invited to the court by Emperor Godaigo (897-930) and composed short poems while looking at the full moon. (*)


All these pictures are made by cutting figures out from Japanese Paper (Washi) with a blade.


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Librairie Seizan of KYOTO  Established 1996

English Explanation Referance :

(*) "Dictionary of Japanese Culture" by K.Setsuko & G.A.Crane /1991. Heian, Japan

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