Do you like looking up at the full moon? In Japan, since the Heian period (794 to 1185), we've had a tradition of admiring the full moon. Heian aristocrats enjoyed drinking sake and writing about the beautiful moon in their own poems while looking at the refection of the moon on the sake cups. What a sophisticated culture they had! It originated in China. Although we don't celebrate the moon like the Heian aristocrats once did, we still look up at the sky and admire its beauty. I think it's wonderful to forget about time and simply focus on the moment, especially for the modern people who are always busy.
Tonight was the full moon called chūshū-no-meigetsu (中秋の名月) or jūgoya (十五夜), which is the most amazing moon of the year. I looked up at the sky and saw a breathtaking sight. The air was so clean that even with my cellphone, I could take a good picture.
The moon was so bright that I couldn't see any other starts. It looked absolutely flawless.
If you missed it , you can see the moon here.
Bebel Gilberto - Harvest Moon
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I've seen people making a big deal about "Hanami" parties in the springtime, and I know that "Tsukimi" parties are a concept that exists, but do people still to Tsukimi parties like they do with Hamani?
I think ancient people from the Heian period to the Edo, upper class people enjoyed throwing parties. They must enjoy drinking sake while looking at the moon reflection on the sake cups. I really like it. Unfortunately, the modern people don't have enough time for this because tukimi is only for a day. For hanami, we can pick up the date, but I guess it's really hard for busy people to get together for only one night.