| In this article inspired by Miki's blog, learn about | | | | surface as the earth and that they create the |
| the autumn tradition in Japan called Tsukimi, or | | | | shadowy patterns that we see on the moon's |
| "moon viewing." Discover the Japanese version of | | | | surface. But, what do the people in your country |
| the man in the moon and some ways that the | | | | say these shadows look like? In Japan they are |
| tradition has influenced Japanese dishes. In addition | | | | said to look like a rabbit making rice cakes. A |
| to learning all about these autumn festivities in | | | | rabbit seems like something out of a cartoon, and |
| Japan, pick up a ton of fantastic Japanese | | | | the image sounded very Japanese to me. But, in |
| vocabulary and phrases that will help you talk | | | | fact, I heard that this story has its roots in an old |
| about what you do during this special time in | | | | Indian fable. |
| Japan! If you're ever in Japan during autumn, you'll | | | | In some parts of Japan, moon viewing "robberies" |
| be glad you read this article! | | | | are performed on moon viewing night. This |
| Vocabulary: In this article, you'll learn the following | | | | custom involves stealing dumplings prepared by |
| words and phrases:kazaru - "to decorate, to | | | | the children. Stealing dumplings is permitted only |
| ornament, to adorn"nagameru - "to view, to gaze | | | | on these nights. But over time, this custom has |
| at"tatoeru - "to compare, to liken, to speak | | | | changed a bit. In some areas now, children go |
| figuratively, to illustrate, to use a simile"hassoo - | | | | from house to house, and instead of just stealing |
| "idea, conception"shinwa - "myth, legend"kankei - | | | | the dumplings, they announce their arrival by |
| "relation, connection"nusumu - "to steal"okashi - | | | | saying "moon viewing burglar." Then the dumplings |
| "sweets, candy, confectionery"niteiru - | | | | are given to them willingly. Sounds a lot like |
| "similar"midika - "familiar, close"kimi - "egg | | | | Halloween, doesn't it? |
| yolk"medamayaki - "sunny-side-up fried | | | | You can even do a little bit of moon viewing right |
| eggs"gentei - "limit, restriction"dekoboko - "rough, | | | | on your dinner plate. The type of soba or udon |
| bumpy, uneven"kage - "shadow"shuukan - | | | | noodles with a raw egg broken into the soup is |
| "custom, habit, manners"hasamu - "to hold | | | | called Tsukimi Soba or Tsukimi Udon because the |
| something between two things" | | | | egg yolk looks just like a full moon in your bowl. |
| Autumn in Japan | | | | And, at McDonalds in Japan there is even a special |
| In Japan, one of the seasonal events of autumn is | | | | hamburger with a fried egg in the middle, called |
| Tsukimi, or "moon viewing." They decorate a spot | | | | the Tsukimi Burger, which they sell only in the fall. |
| with a good view of the moon with dumplings, | | | | Question |
| sake, and pampas grass so that people can enjoy | | | | What do they compare craters of the moon to? |
| the lunar view. We all know that the moon has | | | | Answer |
| the same kind of bumps and craters on its | | | | It is compared to a rabbit pounding a rice cake. |