Admiring the Moon
Jidai Matsuri
As fall starts to make noticed its discrete presence, Japanese people’s sensibility towards nature comes forward once again, expressed through a variety of local events and festivals. They say we entered what they call Chushu no Meigetsu, or Mid Autumn’s Most Beautiful Moon.There are at least five* local moon admiring events in two days here in Kyoto, where you can enjoy fine traditional Japanese cuisine, tea ceremonies held in splendid gardens, and the sounds of shamisen, koto and shakuhachi.
We are going to attent the moon viewing festival at Shimogamo Shrine tomorrow. I’ll take the camera with me, and try to take some good shots of the performers dressed in Heian era costumes. I just hope it won’t rain like it did today, or there will be no moon for us to admire!
* Sept. 24 - Taizo-in Temple; Sept. 25 - Shimogamo, Kamigamo, Kitano Tenman-gu, and Hirano shrines.
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