The recent adventures of the Artemis II crew captured the hearts and minds of millions of people all over the world. Inspired by this new dawn of space exploration, we thought we would take a look at the symbolic role that the Moon plays in Japanese culture. (As always with our blog posts, you can click on any of the images to take a closer look.)

Known as “Tsuki”, the Moon has been a source of inspiration and reflection for centuries. In Japan it is seen as a symbol of impermanence and subtle beauty. Instead of celebrating perfection or its luminescence alone, as is often the case, Japanese culture finds meaning in the fleeting and the incomplete.

For example, a crescent Moon or a partially obscured Moon, drifting behind clouds is considered more evocative than a fully visible one. The idea being that beauty is deepened by its vulnerability and temporary nature.

Another key aspect of Japanese life is seasonal awareness and this is something that the Moon is closely associated with. During Autumn, the custom of “Tsukimi” (Moon viewing) sees people gathering to reflect and admire the harvest moon. A similar tradition to that of Hanami (flower viewing in Spring) and Momijigari (Maple leaf hunting, in Spring). You can read more about Hanami by Clicking Here and Momijigari by Clicking Here.

During Tsukimi, people will display Pampas grasses and make offerings of Dango (rice dumplings) to express gratitude for natures abundance. The Moon is thought to play an important role in a successful harvest so as such, it has become a symbol of harmony between humankind and the rhythms of the natural world.

In literature and poetry, the Moon is also used to convey longing, solitude and reflection. Its presence and eternal cycles contrast with the shifting patterns and emotions of human life. Classical works such as the Tale of Genji (widely considered to the worlds first novel) often use Lunar imagery to depict and reflect romance, melancholy and the passage of time.

In Buddhism, the Moon is seen to represent enlightenment and truth while in Shintoism it has a sacred significance. Not so much a symbol of grandeur and power, the presence of the Moon serves as a reminder to pause, reflect and find beauty in life.

We hope you enjoyed this article. You can find over 150 short stories and blogs inspired by our collection of Chinese and Japanese Fine Art and Antiques over on our News Page by Clicking Here.