A night to savor the Mid-Autumn Moon with a "moon-viewing companion" - Hachimine talks about the silence and emotion of Mukojima Hyakkaen

In the old days, there was a moon god called Tsukuyomi, who could read the signs of the invisible moon.
The beautiful hostess next to him laughed at Hachimine, who started such a conversation at the entrance.
Doesn't that sound like the title of your book?"
Yes, I'm sure you've heard the expression, "The Chronicle of the Wise Men's Moon ReadingThe book is called "The Moon. Tonight, let's go with the one that makes you feel the moon, no logic."

On this night, the annual "moon-viewing party" was being held at Mukojima Hyakkaen in Sumida-ku, Tokyo.
This is an autumn event in which the garden, which retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, is specially opened until nighttime for people to admire the moon.
The sky was covered with clouds, but the moon peeked out from time to time through the clouds,
The pale light fell on the garden and then quietly hid again.
That fleeting glint in the clouds was the star of the evening.

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What this article will tell you

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What is the Mukojima Hyakkaen "Tsukimi no Kai"?

The "moon-viewing party" at Mukojima Hyakkaen has been an autumn tradition since the Edo period.
Held for several days each year in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Moon, the park usually opens until 5:00 p.m., but is extended until 9:00 p.m.

The park is lined with about 50 picture lanterns depicting haiku and ukiyoe, creating a fantastic scene after sunset.
During the festival, there will be live performances of shinobue (bamboo flute) and koto (Japanese stringed instrument), a matcha (powdered green tea) tea ceremony, the Shinnai Nagashi (floating stream in the Shinnai River), and other traditional cultural events.

This year, it will be held for three days from October 5 to 7, with the "Hagi Festival" during the day and the "Moon Viewing Party" at night,
Visitors can enjoy the different atmospheres of the garden by day and night.

1] Offering Ceremony - Begins in Tranquility

At 5:00 p.m., as we passed through the hagi tunnel, the "offering ceremony" had begun in front of the wisteria trellis.

Gardeners line up in happi coats and carefully offer autumn blessings such as tsukimi dumplings, taro, persimmons, and eggplants.
The sound of the shinobue flute slowly flows along with the gesture, softening the air little by little.

 

*Offering ceremony

These rituals complete the stillness, don't they?"
Hachimine says, and she laughs back.
What do you mean, "quietness is perfection"?
"Maybe it means I don't need sounds or words."

*Performance of shinobue flute at the offering ceremony

Looking up at the sky, which was still covered with bright clouds, a thin, pale light was faintly blurred.
They stood there for a while, imagining the outline of the invisible moon.

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The Sound of Koto and Picture Lanterns──Lights of Edo Floating on a Cloudy Night

When the sun goes down, lanterns are lit here and there throughout the park.
About 50 painted paper lanterns depicting haiku poems and Hokusai's paintings illuminate the stone pavement and blend with the moonlight spilling through the clouds.
The warmth of the light slowly spreads through the cloudy night.

I think the star of the show today might be the lanterns."
Hachimine said, and she laughed.
Moon would be so upset if he heard that."
He said, "It's all right. He showed his face a little earlier, maybe he's already satisfied."

As we walked along, exchanging light banter, we heard the sound of a koto (Japanese stringed instrument) echoing from a small arbor in front of the store.
Live music was performed by the Kurita Shachu, a local performance group.
The sound flows on the wind and mingles with the sound of insects.

The moon appeared again through the clouds, its light reflecting slightly on the strings of the koto.
In the silence of the cloudy night, light and sound illuminated the mind as they snuggled together.
Hachimine looked up at the sky and said with a smile.
The moon seems to have more fun hiding in and out like this."

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3] Tea Ceremony and Shinnai Nagashi - Tasting the "Moon among the Clouds

An otsukimi tea ceremony was being held in the Onarizashiki room at the back of the park.
Matcha green tea and Japanese sweets in the shape of the moon were served, and each participant quietly enjoyed a cup of tea.

Tea is not so much about the taste as it is about the pause.
When Hachimine says this, she laughs.
An unusual statement for you."
I want to be the kind of guy who can enjoy the occasional pause.

In the teacup, a pale light shimmered through a break in the clouds.
It was as if the moon had sneaked a peek.

The following day, "Shinnai Nagashi" will also be held, with shamisen and songs drifting through the park.
Even if you can't see the moon, the sound fills the space - that is the magic of this garden.

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Reading the Moon Behind the Clouds

On their way home, they stopped by a pond.
On the surface of the water, the moonlight spilling through the clouds is faintly shimmering.

You look better than you did before.
It's true. It's just like Tsuki to show his face on a whim.
Today's moon is more tactful than shy."
I might be like you."

Their laughter melts into the night breeze.
Looking up at the moon peeking through the clouds, Hachimine mused, "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing.
It's the nights that aren't perfect that are the most flavorful."

The light is again hidden by clouds.
Still, the surface of the pond was slightly bright.
In its soft light, quiet beauty breathed.

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