Otsukimi at Ekoji Buddhist Temple

Otsukimi at Ekoji Buddhist Temple

On Saturday, September 26, JASW members, Ekoji members and friends join together in marking the traditional Japanese event of Otsukimi (Moon Viewing) at Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Fairfax Station, VA. 

Otsukimi is a Japanese tradition dating from the Heian period (794-1185 AD), when the evening was marked with poetry and music by court aristocrats. The celebration later spread to warriors, townspeople, and farmers and became a harvest festival. Like our "harvest moon," it  is an occasion for thanksgiving. Sprays of susuki (eulalia) are displayed on the veranda with tiny tsukimi dango (rice dumplings). 

Even though, the rain and cloudy weather kept the full moon away until after the event was over, everyone enjoyed eating obento and dango, listening to traditional koto music by the Washington Toho Koto Society and shamisen by 8th grader, Akihiro Kawauchi.  Guest also enjoyed playing children's games, writing haiku, or listening to the Towpath Haiku Society explain how to write the perfect haiku for the moment. 

JASW would like to thank Ekoji Buddhist Temple for hosting the event and next year we will have beautiful weather!