A tranquil world of the moon and tea unfolds on the night of the full moon
When was the last time you took a good look at the full moon shining in the night sky? August 15th on the lunar calendar, the 15th night of the 8th month (the harvest moon), is a special day when the moon is said to be at its most beautiful in the year. With summer gone, the moon shines even brighter in the clear autumn air, and its fantastic light has captivated the hearts of Japanese people since ancient times.
Have you ever heard the expression "scooping water with the moon in your hand"? It's a beautiful expression that means that if you scoop up water, you can feel the moon in your hand, even from afar. For example, you might enjoy moon viewing while gazing at the moon reflected in a garden pond. The moon, which changes shape with each movement of the water's surface, has a whole new charm. Scooping up the moon is quite romantic, isn't it?
The spirit of moon viewing is also important at tea ceremony gatherings. For example, tea bowls with pictures of the moon and lid rests shaped like the moon are used, and vases are decorated with Japanese pampas grass and bush clover to evoke the changing of the seasons. And we must not forget the moon viewing dumplings. The round dumplings are inspired by the full moon, and just looking at them evokes the feeling of autumn. Sweets made with chestnuts, a flavor perfect for this time of year, are also essential for moon viewing. Enjoying chestnut dumplings or soft, fluffy chestnut sweets together with the moon viewing will make you feel the autumn flavor even more.
Of course, moon viewing isn't limited to tea rooms. Simply opening a window and looking up at the moon can provide a moment of relief from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While gazing at the moon, it might be interesting to imagine how people in the past enjoyed it in the same way.
This year, on the fifteenth night of the lunar month, why not look up at the night sky and enjoy some quiet time? You might even see the moon reflected in your hand.
