How many can you solve? An Otsukimi trivia quiz from general knowledge to surprising fun facts

approximately 4.5 cm in diameter

The traditional size of tsukimi dango is said to be about 4.5 centimeters in diameter, which equals one sun and five bu. This “one sun, five bu” is a play on words with “Jugoya” (the fifteenth night) and is considered auspicious. If you want to honor the origins and traditions of the festival, it’s recommended to make them in this size.

pyramidal

It is common to offer tsukimi dango stacked high, typically in a pyramid shape. This is said to symbolize the full moon by piling up the rice cakes, and to arrange them prominently as a prayer for a good harvest and as an expression of gratitude. Since 15 dumplings are stacked for the night of the full moon (Jūgoya), ease of stacking might also be a reason.

rabbit

Speaking of moon-viewing, the legend that a rabbit lives on the moon is well known. In Japan, the pattern on the full moon looks like a rabbit pounding rice cakes, so rabbits often appear as an image of moon-viewing. The vague patterns that float on the moon are likened to different things depending on the country, so it’s fun to look into those differences, too.

Japanese pampas grass

During Tsukimi, pampas grass (susuki) is displayed to pray for a good harvest. Because susuki is likened to rice ears, it has long been used in moon-viewing events such as the fifteenth-night celebration and is also considered to have protective, talismanic qualities. Another key point is that at events praying for a bountiful harvest, rice has not yet been gathered, so pampas grass is displayed instead.

China

The custom of tsukimi, gazing at the moon and celebrating on the night of the harvest moon, originally came from China. In China, it has long been cherished as the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it is said to have been introduced to Japan during the Heian period. Thereafter, it developed into uniquely Japanese customs and events.

Heian period

The custom of moon viewing became widespread in Japan during the Heian period. At that time, the practice of appreciating the moon, which had been introduced from China, developed among the aristocracy, and moon-viewing banquets were held. Scenes of people setting boats afloat to enjoy the moon reflected on the water’s surface are depicted in works like The Tale of Genji. Eventually, the custom spread to the common people and evolved into an event that continues to this day.

August 15

The fifteenth night refers to the 15th day of the 8th month in the old lunar calendar, also known as the Mid-Autumn Moon. This day falls in the middle of autumn and is considered a time when the moon appears especially beautiful. In the current Gregorian calendar, the date changes every year, but the term “fifteenth night” originates from the lunar calendar.