Many older adults may want to enjoy the beautiful full moon during Otsukimi, also known as the Harvest Moon viewing.
In this article, we introduce wall decoration ideas for Otsukimi that you can enjoy indoors.
We’ve gathered helpful ideas for creating wall displays, including how to make essential elements like pampas grass (susuki), moon-viewing rice dumplings (tsukimi dango), and the full moon, as well as wall design ideas that use these parts.
Please make use of these ideas when creating Otsukimi wall displays at senior care facilities and similar settings.
We also recommend making them together with the residents.
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[For Seniors] Moon-Viewing Wall Decoration Ideas (1–10)
Full Moon Festival Offering Rabbit
When you think of the Harvest Moon (Jūgoya), it’s the moon, moon-viewing dumplings, pampas grass, and of course the rabbit said to live on the moon not only in Japan but in many countries! If you paste a bright moon floating in the night sky, pampas grass and bellflowers in a vase, moon-viewing dumplings given a three-dimensional look with tissue paper, and rabbits cut to match a template onto a wall or backing paper, you’ll have a Jūgoya scene in no time.
If it still feels a bit plain, we recommend sprinkling cosmos—an autumn flower—around it for extra flair!
Moon viewing and pampas grass
This wall decoration recreates a moon-viewing scene with a lovely, soft feel using tissue paper pampas grass (susuki).
Crumple the tissue paper to add texture, then make fine cuts along the portion that will be the feathery tip.
Wrap it around a chopstick and glue it in place; attach narrow leaf pieces cut from the same tissue paper to the stem, and you’ll have pampas grass with beautifully fluffy plumes.
Making several in colors like brown, yellow, and pale pink is recommended so the overall look doesn’t become too dark.
Display them together with moon-viewing dumplings, rabbits, and moon pieces to fully enjoy the Japanese autumn.
Moon-viewing Bunny Ballerina
This wall decoration depicts an irresistibly cute scene of bunnies in tutus dancing as they gaze at the moon! The bunnies’ tutus are made from two layers of tissue paper.
Accordion-fold the paper, secure it in the center, trim the corners, gently fluff it open, and attach it to the bunny parts.
Using black construction paper and tissue paper, prepare the pieces for the bunnies dancing on the moon as well.
Then, stick everything onto the backing alongside cosmos flowers, pampas grass, and hanami dango to complete the moonlit scene!
Moon-viewing hanging decoration
A hanging decoration perfect for autumn, featuring motifs related to the Harvest Moon! Make moon-viewing dumplings, rabbits, gentians (a representative autumn flower), and maple leaves out of origami or chiyogami paper, then tie them to strings.
If you stick a moon and pampas grass on the wall and hang the decoration in front of them, it creates depth and makes the display even more charming.
It’s also recommended to let seniors freely create autumn-themed motifs and hang them up together.
Be sure to make it as a group while enjoying lively conversations about autumn!
Papercut of a moon-viewing rabbit
Recreate rabbits pounding mochi on the moon with papercutting! First, fold a sheet of yellow origami paper in half and draw the outline of the moon.
To make a perfect circle, a compass is recommended, but if you’re drawing freehand, fold the paper in half again before drawing the line to get closer to a true circle.
Once you’ve sketched the moon, draw a guide so that the mortar and pestle and the rabbits’ shapes will appear within the moon, then cut along the lines to finish.
In this project, the sketch is everything! It’s also a great idea to make it together with someone who’s good at drawing or older adults who are skilled at papercutting.
Moon-viewing set
This is a three-dimensional decoration made by combining various items associated with moon viewing (Otsukimi).
Clear examples include a large moon, rice dumplings stacked on a sanbo (ceremonial tray), and a vase holding pampas grass and bellflowers.
Plant elements are especially effective for creating depth: aim for a sense of spread when crafting the plants and fix only the stems inside the vase.
You can focus on how to create dimensionality, or it could be fun to think of other items inspired by Otsukimi as well.
Moon-viewing rabbit mobile
When it comes to moon-viewing, rabbits are an essential motif.
This is a three-dimensional hanging decoration that evokes a rabbit leaping out from the moon.
First, cut yellow construction paper into a circle, then make slits and spread them to create a moon motif.
Attach a string to the top of the moon, and glue two pieces of white construction paper cut into a rabbit shape together with the string sandwiched in between to complete the decoration.
Emphasizing the rabbit makes it easy to convey that the shape beneath it is the moon, so pay close attention to getting the rabbit’s silhouette just right.