[JUGOYA] Let's look up at the night sky with your family!

Japanese autumn tradition "JUGOYA" (literally means"night of the 15th") . It is known as the moon-viewing day when you can see the beautiful full moon. Now, it’s an autumn event that is familiar to all Japanese people.

Today, let us introduce "JUGOYA" and how to celebrate the day.

By the way, in Sri Lanka(My husband is from Sri Lanka!), they have a full moon festival called “Poya Day” every month. Schools and offices are closed, and they go to temples and pray.

Do you have any events to celebrate on a full moon day in your country?

Autumn classic event "JUGOYA"

After the end of the summer, when the temperature begins to slowly drop, you will hear people mentioning the word "JUGOYA". Jyugoya is an event to appreciate the harvest while enjoying the view of the moon which is said to be the most beautiful moon of the year on the full moon day of September. Why don't you enjoy “JUGOYA” at home by eating dumplings and decorating your room this year?

-When is "JUGOYA"?

Originally, “JUGOYA” was on August 15th in the lunar calendar used in Japan a long time ago.

In the lunar calendar, the date was set by the phases of the moon, and August 15 was the day of the full moon, just in the middle of autumn. According to the new calendar currently in use, it seems to be from mid-September to early October. The date changes every year, and this year “JUGOYA” is September 21, 2021!!

-What is the meaning and origin of "JUGOYA"?

“JUGOYA” means the full moon. It was named "JUGOYA"(literally means "night of the 15th") because it takes about 15 days from the new moon to become the full moon.

The sky is clear from September to October, and the view of the full moon is the most beautiful in a year, so it is also called “CHUSYU-NO-MEIGETSU”(literally means "The most beautiful moon in mid-Autumn”).

However, it is not always the full moon on the day of “JUGOYA”.

When you hear the word "JUGOYA", you would imagine the full moon, but actually it is off by about a day in some years.

The reason is that the cycle of the full moon varies from 14th to 16th.

In recent years, it is estimated that the full moon of “JUGOYA” was in “2013", and the next full moon of “JUGOYA” would be in "2021". JUGOYA this year will be the full moon!!

What is "Otsukimi"?

Otsukimi(literally means “moon-viewing”) is an event to enjoy the view of the moon on JUGOYA night.

In the old days (Heian period), aristocrats saw the beautiful moon and started a banquet so-called "Otsukimi".

Later, when it spread to the common people, it became an event to thank the harvest by offering the autumn harvest.

Nowadays McDonald's "Tsukimi Burger" is also on the standard menu at this time of year!

-"Otsukimi" offering

In Japan, "Susuki"(Japanese Pampas Grass) and "Dango"(Rice Cakes) are offered together while Otsukimi.

The reason for offering these two is related to the "Rice Harvest Festival".

・ Susuki (Japanese Pampas Grass)

Originally, people wanted to offer rice ears that symbolize the harvest, but it was before rice harvesting for the year so they started to offer Japanese Pampas Grass that looked like rice ears.

Offer Japanese Pampas Grass in a vase alone or with autumn flowers.

In addition, it is said that the sharp cut of Japanese Pampas Grass isa talisman against evil, so it is customary in some regions to hang Japanese Pampas Grass on the eaves after Otsukimi.

・ Dango (Rice Cake)

The round dango rice cakes are likened to a full moon and show gratitude for the harvest on the moon.

On JUGOYA, 15 Dangos are piled up like a pyramid and offered. By stacking high, it means that gratitude will reach the moon in the sky. It is said that you can get good health and happiness by eating the Dangos that you offer for Otsukimi.

After Otsukimi, let's eat them with gratitude to the moon.

-Let's expand your imagination with your kids!

When you look at the moon carefully... What do you see?

It is said that the moon seen from Japan looks like "a rabbit is making rice cakes".

In some countries, it looks like a "big crab" or a "female profile".

What would it look like when children saw the moon?

It must be fun to expand your imagination talking with your kids!

Let's make it with your kids! Tsukimi Dango

Tsukimi Dango recipe

【Ingredients】

Shiratamako ... 200g

Kinu tofu ... 250-280g

Sugar ... 1 tablespoon

【How to make】

①Add Sugar and Kinu Tofu to Shiratamako and mix well.

　Do not add all the tofu at once, but add it so that it is as hard as an earlobe while watching 　the situation.

②Make it into round shapes.

③Put the Dangos into boiling water.

　After about 2 minutes from floating, take them out from the boiling water and put them into 　cold water for a while. Put them on a strainer to remove water when they got enough cool.

* It is okay if the dough is a little too soft before boiling.

* Please adjust the amount of the sugar as you like.

* It is also delicious to add mashed foods such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and potatoes to the dough. 

(In that case, please adjust the sugar according to the sweetness of the ingredient)

writer：Kinako

Recipe : AI

translated by Kinako