Autumn is creeping upon us and the scenery is beginning to change. Today is September 15th which is referred to as Jyuugoya in Japan and is the day (night) for full moon viewing. In honor of the season, fronds of susuki (Japanese pampass grass) are displayed and rice dumplings (dango) are served and supposedly we all go out and look at the rabbits pounding rice in the full moon.WHAT?! Yes, as Westerners have a legend that there is a man in the moon, Japanese tell the story that there are two rabbits making rice dumplings on the moon (I guess it's the way the moon craters reflect the light... ) I've never been able to see the rabbits but then I've never been able to see the man in the moon either.
So, while on my walk with Choco, I cut some fronds of susuki from a nearby empty lot and later bought some rice dumplings. I thought these were delightful with the little pancakes that have the susuki markings on them and the little mountain of dumplings, the yellow one being the full moon. And of course the pink rabbit sitting there. All of these have sweet bean paste inside them.
Unfortunately all the cats think that the susuki are absolutely wonderful play things and they all got into the batting act and then eating act. Eating I don't mind but the regurgitating... I tried putting the vase on the table but Patora still wanted to eat them so after a token appreciation of the susuki I put them outside and will bring them back in for a quick display while Tetsu and I eat our rice dumplings.
I hope it doesn't rain tonight.
9 comments:
your top photo would make a wonderful small wall quilt.
Wendy in Louisiana
I can admit it, I am distracted by the cat belly!
Great, informative (as always!) post. Cats will be cats! ;) Enjoy your celebration.
Great photos Tanya, Japanese food always looks so pretty. We've given up having house plants within cat reach as they seem to love to play with and nibble all of them - and then we suffer the consequences!
Glad you posted this information, it is so interesting. We have some pampass grass that gets real tall and also spreads easily. The rice dumplings are so pretty...colorful
Love the photo of Patora's tummy!
I had read that the Japanese could see the Rabbit on the moon. Living in New Zealand, we always saw the 'rabbit', never the 'man'. We never saw 2 rabbits, & I had not heard about the dumplings.
The cats are so funny- not when they are sick, of course!
The rice dumplings are a work of art! They are too pretty to eat!
Great photos of your 'helper'! Our Fred (the cat)will not leave a vase of flowers alone so it is very rare I have them in the house anymore. He sits on the table eating and shredding them!! Thanks for sharing the story of the moon with us. Hope you enjoyed your dumplings.
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