READING TIME: 5 MINUTES.

The Temple Of The Bright Moon

The Moon window at Meigetsuin

A few days ago I visited a beautiful little Zen temple in Kamakura called Meigetsuin, or the temple of the Bright Moon. The temple is famous for its Zen garden and for its iconic moon shaped window. The window opens to the garden behind the Hojo main hall and serves as a frame to its scenery. I found the Moon window mesmerizing. It was like an opening into another world and its scenery, ever changing with the seasons to be like a magical kaleidoscope offering a different view every time we look at it. You almost expect a magical creature to suddenly jump through it and surprise you. And I hear it sometimes does – a bunny! But why a bunny you may ask?

Bunnies, bunnies everywhere

Meigetsuin bunny

From ancient times in Japan, it has been believed that rabbits live on the moon. This folklore comes from the same shapes on the moon’s surface that gave rise to the ‘man in the moon’ stories overseas. Having the Moon in its name gives Meigetsuin a connection with the Moon  rabbits, and following the folk tale the monks have placed a number of rabbit ornaments throughout their temple.

It is a lot of fun to look for these bunny figurines as you walk the grounds of Meigetsuin. I was met by a bunny and its friend, a Tortoise at the very entrance of the temple. There were more of them, hidden under the hydrangea bushes and in the bamboo groves. I even saw some real rabbits that the temple took care of!

Moon Viewing

Tsukimi Moon Viewing
Photo: orientalsoul.com

The Moon plays an important role in Japanese folklore and traditions. One of my favorite Fall festivals Tsukimi (moon viewing in Japanese) honors the Harvest moon. The best night in the year for observing the Moon is said to be the fifteenth night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, known as jūgoya. On this day people decorate the place they will view the Moon with special offerings: stalks of susuki pampas grass as a symbol of a bountiful rice crop and small, moon shaped rice cakes called tsukimi dango. When my children were young we would sit on the balcony and enjoy tsukimi dango under the light of the beautiful full moon. And, of course try to spot the moon bunnies on its face that, according to the legend were making their own tsukimi dango too.

This year Jyugoya falls on the 1st of October. If you are not in Japan you can create your own moon viewing and celebrate the Harvest moon with cakes and drinks for a taste of tsukimi magic.