As the summer heat fades and the crisp autumn air settles in, Japan prepares for one of its most enchanting festivals: Tsukimi, or the Moon Viewing Festival. At Seisuke Knife, surrounded by exceptional Japanese kitchen knives; we're also deeply connected to the rich cultural tapestry of Japan. In celebration of the holiday, we're excited to share the beauty and significance of Tsukimi, the autumn festival that shares a connection with the moon, chrysanthemums, and Sakai Kikumori knives. This link beautifully intertwines culinary traditions with the artistry of knife-making, embodying the seasonal appreciation and cultural heritage of Tsukimi.
What is Tsukimi?
Tsukimi, which literally translates to "moon viewing," is a Japanese festival that celebrates the autumn moon and harvest. This captivating end-of-summer celebration, also known as Otsukimi, offers a unique blend of cultural significance, folklore, and seasonal appreciation.
Tsukimi has its roots in ancient Chinese traditions that were adopted and adapted by Japanese culture during the Heian period (794-1185). The festival typically falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditional lunar calendar, which usually corresponds to mid-September to early October in the Gregorian calendar. The festival's importance lies in its connection to the harvest season and the beauty of the autumn moon. It serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and appreciation of nature's cycles.
The Folklore Behind the Festival
Central to Tsukimi is the folktale of Tsuki no Usagi, or the Rabbit on the Moon. According to this tale, the Old Man from the Moon, disguised as a beggar, encountered a monkey, a fox, and a rabbit. When he asked them for food, the rabbit, having nothing else to offer, selflessly jumped into the fire to provide sustenance. Moved by this act, the Old Man revealed his true identity as a moon diety and resurrected the rabbit and granted it eternal life on the moon.
This is why in Japan, instead of seeing a man in the moon, people see a rabbit pounding mochi. This folktale has significantly influenced the imagery and traditions associated with Tsukimi.
Not only do people eat rabbit shaped dumplings this time of your, but some awesome limited edition collectables are available, like these buff rabbit figurines. You’d imagine after centuries of pounding mochi on the surface of the moon, that rabbit would develop some intense musculature. Go Usagi, go!
Traditional Foods and Their Significance
Food plays a crucial role in Tsukimi celebrations, with various dishes holding symbolic significance:
- Tsukimi Dango: The most iconic treat, these moon-viewing rice dumplings are a staple of the festival. Round and white, they symbolize the full moon and are believed to bring good health and happiness.
- Seasonal Produce: Autumnal fruits and vegetables such as chestnuts (kuri), kabocha (Japanese pumpkin), persimmons, and sweet potatoes are often incorporated into the celebratory meals.
- Egg Dishes: In Japan, eggs can symbolize the moon in cuisine. Special dishes like Tsukimi Soba or Tsukimi Udon, featuring a raw egg that resembles the full moon, are popular during this time.
- Sake: This light rice wine is the drink of choice for the festivities in honor of the bountiful harvest.
Due to the variety of seasonal produce used in celebrations, Otsukimi may sometimes be referred to by alternative names such as Imomeigetsu (potato harvest moon), Mememeigetsu (bean harvest moon), or Kurimeigetsu (chestnut harvest moon). To think, I always thought the moon was made of cheese. Now I want a moon-themed stew or charcuterie with cheese, potato, beans, chestnuts, and dango, of course.
Decorations
Tsukimi decorations are simple yet meaningful. They are as important to the ceremonies as the food, though you’ll see how they go hand in hand. The main decorative elements include:
- Pampas grass (susuki): A large ornamental perenial with long folding leaves and silvery plumelike flower clusters. Arranged in groups of 5-10 plumes called susuki-no-sekku, susuki represents a good harvest and is believed to ward off evil. Rooftop decorations sometimes serve as offerings to the moon god.
- Autumn flowers: Arranged in ikebana style, adding seasonal elegance to homes and public spaces.
- Offerings: Some foods are presented to the moon, one of course being Tsukimi Dango. These are often arranged in a pyramid shape. Other offerings include sweet potatoes for the full moon, and chestnuts and beans for the waxing moon.
- Moon-viewing area: Decorated with pampas grass, this is where offerings to the moon are displayed.
These decorations create a festive atmosphere during Tsukimi. The tradition is even represented by the 🎑 Tsukimi emoji, depicting pampas grass, the moon, and a dango offering.
Viewing Customs
Occurring from mid-September to early October, Tsukimi features distinctive customs, including modest home decorations and offerings of mochi and seasonal produce. Temples and shrines across Japan host events with traditional performances, while some famous gardens offer moon-viewing experiences on large yachts, allowing visitors to enjoy the full moon's reflection on water.
Tsukimi celebrations have adapted to modern lifestyles while maintaining their essence. Many people now celebrate at home, incorporating elements of the traditional ceremony—hosting picnics, enjoying special dishes, and appreciating seasonal produce and drinks. Restaurants offer special menus, and fast-food chains create foods like Tsukimi burgers with fried eggs. Some cities host festivals with performances and food stalls.
Regardless of how it's celebrated, Tsukimi's fundamental purpose remains: finding a space with minimal artificial light where people can gather to appreciate the full moon's beauty, connecting with nature and Japanese cultural heritage.
The Knife Connection: Sakai Kikumori
At Seisuke Knife in Portland, we carry the Sakai Kikumori brands, Choyo and Kikuzuki, which have a special connection to this autumnal celebration. These knives bear the symbol of a chrysanthemum and moon, linking them to an older tradition called Choyo-no-Sekku. The brand names are particularly significant: Choyo directly references the tradition, while Kikuzuki translates to "chrysanthemum moon" in Japanese and is the 9th month of the lunar calendar.
Choyo-no-Sekku, also known as the Chrysanthemum Festival, takes place on September 9th at the culmination of the agricultural season. It is one of five sacred ancient festivals in Japan. During this moon viewing celebration, people eat chestnut rice, autumn eggplant, and edible chrysanthemum, wishing for good health. They would enjoy chrysanthemum sake— sake with floating chrysanthemum petals.
The Choyo line exemplifies a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics. These knives, crafted in Sakai, represent the pinnacle of Japanese cutlery. Choyo knives boast a lustrous mirror finish that not only evokes the radiant surface of the moon but also provides rust resistance. A very pure high carbon knife steel is used for the cutting edge of Choyo knives.
Conversely, the Kikuzuki line showcases the unparalleled craftsmanship of Sakai Kikumori's most skilled craftsmen. These knives undergo meticulous forging and sharpening processes. The Kikuzuki series feature oxidized coatings applied during the quenching process, subtle sheens resulting from precision hairline polishing, and elegant, flowing Damascus steel.
Sakai Kikumori, established in 1926, upholds Sakai City's six-century legacy as the epicenter of traditional knife craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from this revered festival. We recommend utilizing a Choyo Gyuto for slicing eggplants or a Kikuzuki Petty for dicing sweet potatoes during your Tsukimi celebration. I think it’s a beautiful way to connect with this rich tradition. It's a practice we at Seisuke Knife wholeheartedly embrace.
Celebrating Tsukimi in Portland
While we're based in Portland, Oregon, a Pacific Ocean away from Japan, we believe in bringing the spirit of Japanese traditions to our community. Here are a few ways you can celebrate Tsukimi in Portland or wherever you may be:
- Host a moon-viewing party in your backyard or a local park.
- Book tickets to Portland Japanese Garden’s Tsukimi event.
- Prepare traditional Tsukimi foods like dango and seasonal vegetables.
- Decorate your space with pampas grass and autumn flowers.
- Use your Sakai Kikumori Choyo and Kikuzuki knives to prepare your Tsukimi feast.
Tsukimi offers a unique blend of tradition, folklore, and seasonal appreciation. This festival not only celebrates the beauty of the autumn moon but also provides an opportunity for reflection and connection with nature as summer transitions into fall. At Seisuke Knife, we're honored to play a small part in keeping these traditions alive, one perfectly sliced vegetable at a time.
As you gaze at the autumn moon this Tsukimi, remember the rabbit pounding mochi, the selfless act that put him there, and the centuries of tradition that connect us all under the same moonlit sky. From myself and all of us at Seisuke Knife, we wish you a beautiful and reflective Tsukimi celebration.
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