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Moon in autumn (aki no tsuki)
***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Autumn
***** Category: Heaven*****************************
Explanation
The moon is the most important kigo for autumn, just as the cherry blossoms are inseparable from spring.
In the times without electric light the full moon was an important source of illumination, giving the farmers an edge on working longer hours in the fields for the harvest.
The custom of viewing the full moon (tsukimi) in mid-autumn was introduced to Japan from China during Nara and Heian period (710-1185). There are many humanity kigo dealing with this.
. tsukimi 月見 つきみ moon viewing ..... kangetsu 観月（かんげつ）
Let us look at the moon kigo of the category HEAVEN.
aki no tsuki 秋の月 moon in autumnThe phases of the moon are often compared to a bowstring, maybe reflecting the samurai spirit of the earlier ages.
tsuki 月 (つき) moon, der Mond This refers to the FULL MOON on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, counting a lunar month from day one to day 30.
There are also special kigo for almost every night from the first to the thirtiest of the eighth lunar month. Some overlap and are placed for all the three months of autumn as well as only for the special night of the eighth lunar month, now in september.
The Basics
... the MOON in all SEASONS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
kigo for early autummbon no tsuki 盆の月 (ぼんのつき)
full moon at the O-Bon festivalOn the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.
It is still hot and people use a handfan that looks like a full moon to enjoy a small breeze.
In the Edo period, they put
cut-out lanterns (kiriko tooroo 切子燈篭 ) on the shelf for the ancestors and the eaves of the home and enjoyed them in the moonlight as an offering to the ancestors.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !. O-Bon, the Ancestor Festival and KIGO :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
kigo for mid-autumm This is the eighth month of the lunar calendar,
with the full autumn moon, now in September.
hatsuzuki 初月 はつづき "first moon"hatsuzukiyo 初月夜（はつづきよ）night with the first moon
Waiting for the full moon, people started to enjoy from early in the eighth lunar month. This kigo refers to day 4, 5 and 6.
futsukazuki 二日月 (ふつかづき) moon on the second day second-day crescent moon
..... sengetsu 繊月（せんげつ）"thin fiber moon"
..... futsuka no tsuki 二日の月（ふつかのつき）
The moon appears in the sky for a short time after sunset.
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mikazuki 三日月 (みかづき) moon on the third day third-day crescent moon
mikka no tsuki 三日の月（みっかのつき）
tsuki no mayu 月の眉（つきのまゆ）
moon like an eyebrow..... mayugakizuki 眉書月（まゆがきづき）
..... mayuzuki 眉月（まゆづき）
mikkazukimayu 三日月眉（みかづきまゆ）
The moon shows up for a short time, looking in shape like an eyebrow.
This is also used as a common name for the moon of the first three days, sometimes even including the fourth day.
The brightly shining part of the moon is called MEI 明,
the dark part is HAKU 魄.
shohaku 初魄（しょはく）
first "dark moon"After the third day, this part becomes more and more visible each night.
shingetsu 新月（しんげつ）
"new moon"This is usually reserved for the 15th day full moon, but in some old poetry collections it is also used for the third-day moon.
jakugetsu 若月（じゃくげつ）"young moon"
tsuki no tsurugi 月の剣（つきのつるぎ）"moon like a sword"
gabi 蛾眉（がび）
"eyebrow like a moth"This is also an alternate name for a beautiful lady.
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matsuyoi 待宵 まつよい "waiting in the evening" "evening spent waiting"
komochizuki 小望月（こもちづき）"little full moon"
The 14th day of the eighth lunar month.
The day before the full autumn moon.
Since you do not know if tomorrow might be clouded, you might as well celebrate this night, if the moon was bright and visible.
Poems with this kigo refer to a certain longing, especially in love poems.
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source : mingeijapan - Furoshiki meigetsu 名月 ( めいげつ) "famous moon" harvest moon The full moon of the eighth lunar month, now in September.
juugoya 十五夜（じゅうごや）
night of the fifteenthThe deity revered on this night is Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来.
chuushuusetsu 仲秋節（ちゅうしゅうせつ）seasonal point in mid-autumn
This refers to the Chinese custom of celebrating the full moon.
People celebrated the changes of all things, now from a full moon to the waning moon.
There are many different customs in various regions of Japan to celebrate this day with special offerings and rituals.
For example sweet potatoes,
edamame beans, moon-viewing dumplings and
susuki reed grass.
In some areas, the day 13 is also celebrated in this way, but more often in the ninth lunar month.
imo meigetsu 芋名月（いもめいげつ）
"Sweet Potato Full Moon" Offerings of sweet potatoes were made in the evening.
kyoo no tsuki 今日の月（きょうのつき）moon of today
koyoi no tsuki 今宵の月（こよいのつき）moon of this night
..... tsukikoyoi, tsuki koyoi 、月今宵（つきこよい）
nadakaki tsuki 名高き月（なだかきつき）famous moon
..... sangoya 三五夜（さんごや）
..... sango no tsuki 三五の月（さんごのつき）
..... tanshoo no tsuki 端正の月（たんしょうのつき）
mangetsu 満月（まんげつ）full moon
meigetsu 明月（めいげつ）clear moon with no clouds in the sky
Some old sources say :
meigetsu 名月 is only once a year, but
meigetsu 明月 is every month.
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mochizuki 望月（もちづき）full moon (in the east) mochi no yo 望の夜（もちのよ）night with the moon (in the east)
MOCHI refers to the moon coming up in the opposite direction to where the sun went down, going up in the east.
"auspicious moon"
This is opposed to the phase of the moon between the sun and the earth, called SAKU 朔.
After the moonless days of SAKU, the moon becomes a "three day moon" (mikazuki).
Mochizuki is quite a common family name in Japan.
source : 松風 full moon night -
together with my grandchildren
I enjoy writing haikuTr. Gabi Greve .................................................................................
ryooya 良夜 (りょうや) "good night" night with a good view of the moon
..... ryooshoo 良宵（りょうしょう）
..... kashoo 佳宵（かしょう）
Sometimes also used for day 13 of the ninth lunar month.
On this day, the constellation "tataraboshi たたら星" (rooshuku / roshuku 婁宿) (chinese "Bond" constellation) of the 28 mansions was seen most clearly in the sky.
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mugetsu 無月 むげつ "no moon" moonless
kumoru meigetsu 曇る名月（くもるめいげつ）cloudy full moon
chuushuu mugetsu 仲秋無月（ちゅうしゅうむげつ）mid-autumn without moon
tsuki no kumo 月の雲（つきのくも）clouds before the moon
The night of the full moon, but it is clouded and the moon can not be seen.
ugetsu 雨月 (うげつ) moon in the rainlit. "rain and moon"
ame meigestu 雨名月（あめめいげつ）rain and full moon
ameyo no tsuki 雨夜の月（あまよのつき）rainy night and moon
ame no tsuki 雨の月（あめのつき）moon in the rain
tsuki no ame 月の雨（つきのあめ）rain and the moon
The night of the full moon, but it is raining and the moon can not be seen.
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Now we come to the nights after the full moon !I count them as "day x", refering to the counting of the days of the eighth lunar month. Rememer, this refers to the times without electricity.
izayoi 十六夜 (いざよい) moon on day 16 ..... izayoo tsuki いざよう月（いざようつき）"hesitant moon"
..... nihachiya 二八夜（にはちや）
..... juurokuya 十六夜（じゅうろくや）night on the 16th day
..... kibou, kibo-u 既望（きぼう）
The moon shows up just a bit later than the full moon on the day before, as if it was
hesitant (izayou, tamerau) to come back.
tachimachizuki 立待月 (たちまちづき) moon on day 17 "standing waiting for the moon"
..... juushichiya 十七夜（じゅうしちや）night of the 17th day
..... tachimachi 立待（たちまち）standing waiting
People would stand at the door and wait for the moon to show.
From day 17 to day 22 the deity Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩 is revered.
imachizuki 居待月 (いまちづき) moon on day 18 ..... imachizuki 座待月（いまちづき）"sitting waiting for the moon"
..... imachi 居待（いまち）
juuhachiyazuki 十八夜月（じゅうはちやづき）
The moon shows about one hour later than the full moon on the 15 and has a larger dark part. People would sit at home in their guestroom together with friends and wait for the moon, enjoying a little party.
. . . CLICK here for Photos ! fushimachizuki 臥待月 (ふしまちづき) moon on day 19nemachizuki 寝待月（ねまちづき）waiting for the moon laying down
fushimachi 臥待（ふしまち）
nemachi 寝待（ねまち）laying down waiting
Most people went to bed early and watched the moon through the open window of the home.
fukemachizuki 更待月 (ふけまちづき) moon on day 20 fukemachi 更待（ふけまち）staying up late waiting
inaka no tsuki 亥中の月（いなかのつき）
"moon at the hour of the wild boar"
hatsuka inaka 二十日亥中（はつかいなか）
hatsukazuki 二十日月（はつかづき）
The hour of the wild boar is about 10 at night in our days. This was considered "late at night" in the times before electricity made our nights change.
nijuusanya 二十三夜（にじゅうさんや）moon on day 23mayonaka no tsuki 真夜中の月 (まよなかのつき) moon at midnight
There were many local groups (nijuusanya koo 二十三夜講) who had special rituals on this day, sometimes on every month, sometimes on the three nights in the first, fifth and ninth lunar month.
People would gather, pray to the deity Nijusanya painted on a scoll (niijusanya sama 二十三夜様,
Seishi Bosatsu 勢至菩薩), and then eat and drink and hope for good luck, easy childbirth and good health.
Seishi Bosatsu is said to posess the "rays of wisdom and sagacity" (eichi no hikari 叡智の光), which would deliver all beings from misfortune and bad luck and the moon is believed to be an incarnation of this deity.
. . . CLICK here for Photos ! Reference : Seishi Bosatsu (Mahasthamaprapta) .................................................................................
. yoiyami 宵闇 dark at night This kigo does not simply refer to a dark night at any time, but to the nights after day 23, when the moon came up very late and the dark period of the night became much longer.
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. . ariakezuki 有明月（ありあけづき）dawn moon in autumn ariakezuki 有明月 ありあけづき
ariake 有明（ありあけ）
asazuki 朝月（あさづき）"morning moon"
asatukiyo 朝月夜（あさづきよ）"dawn moon"
ake no tsuki 明の月（あけのつき）"dawn moon"
nokoru tsuki 残る月（のこるつき）"moon left behind"
Some saijiki refer to this kigo for all the three months of autumn.
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kigo for late autummnochi no tsuki 後の月 (のちのつき) "next full moon"One month after the
meigetsu, now october, celebrated on day 13 though.
futayo no tsuki 二夜の月（ふたよのつき）moon on both nights
this refers to day 13 and day 15 of the ninth lunar month.
juusanya 十三夜（じゅうさんや）moon on day 13
nagori no tsuki 名残の月（なごりのつき）"left-over moon", remembering the full moon
mame meigetsu 豆名月（まめめいげつ）"moon with beans"
kuri meigetsu 栗名月（くりめいげつ）"moon with sweet chestnuts"
This refers to the special offerings made on this night.
. . . CLICK here for mame Photos ! . . . CLICK here for kuri Photos ! . onna meigetsu 女名月（おんなめいげつ） full moon for women ubazuki 姥月（うばづき）full moon for old women
The Japanese liked to celebrate the autumn moon again in what is now october, choosing the two nights before the full moon for their major celebrations, just as to express their appreciation for the incomplete and for the changes in nature.
My "older sister" neighbours come together on this night, eat the beans and chestnuts and tell of the hardships of their marriage, not all like a full moon, but at least enough to be happy with their lot in life.
On this day, the deity Kokuzo Bosatsu (Kokuuzoo Bosatsu 虚空蔵菩薩) is revered.
Juusanya - The Thirteenth Night a story by Higuchi Ichiyo (1872 - 1896)
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kigo for all autumm tsuki 月 (つき) moon, der Mond This refers to the FULL MOON on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, counting a lunar month from the first to the thirtiest day.
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joogen 上弦（じょうげん） "upcoming bowstring"waxing crescent moon..... kami no yumihari 上の弓張（かみのゆみはり）
..... joogen no tsuki 上弦の月（じょうげんのつき）
..... noborizuki 上り月 のぼりづき
moon in its first quarter
Usually on the 7th and 8th day.
kagen 下弦（かげん）"downgoing bowstring" waning moon..... げげん
..... kagen no tsuki 下弦の月（かげんのつき）
..... kudarizuki 降り月 くだりづき
..... kudarizuki 下り月（くだりづき）
..... shimo no yumihari 下の弓張（しものゆみはり）
Usually on the 22th and 23 day.
Together they comprize the months where the moon looks like this
yumiharizuki 弓張月（ゆみはりづき）
"bow-stretched moon"..... katawarezuki 片割月（かたわれづき）"moon like a drawn bow"
yumihari 弦（ゆみはり）"full drawn bow"
弦月（げんげつ）half moon, half-moon, halfmoon
lit. "bowstring moon"..... hangetsu 半月（はんげつ）Halbmond
tsuki no yumi 月の弓（つきのゆみ）moon like a (Japanese) bow
tsuki no fune 月の舟（つきのふね / 月の船）moon like a boat
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noborizuki 上り月（のぼりづき）waxing moon (lit. "moon going up")
from the half moon-position toward the full moon.
kudarizuki 下り月（くだりづき）waning moon
(lit. moon going down")
From the full moon position on the 15th to the 30th.
mochikudari 望くだり（もちくだり）moon going down
(at the opposite direction than the sun)
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. ariakezuki 有明月（ありあけづき）dawn moon in autumn ..... ariake 有明（ありあけ）
asazukuyo 朝月夜（あさづくよ）
moon at dawnhiru no tsuki 昼の月（ひるのつき）moon at midday, daymoon
yuuzuki 夕月（ゆうづき）
moon in the evening..... yuuzukiyo 夕月夜（ゆうづきよ）
yoizuki 宵月（よいづき）evening moon
..... yoizukiyo 宵月夜（よいづきよ）
From day 2 until day 7 or 8, when the moon looks like a drawn bow in the late autumn evening. It was a well loved theme for poetry since olden times.
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yokkazuki 四日月（よっかづき）moon on day 4
itsukazuki 五日月（いつかづき）moon on day 5
yookazuki 八日月（ようかづき）moon on day 8
tookazuki 十日月（とおかづき）moon on day 10
hatsukazuki 二十日月（はつかづき）moon on day 20
tsuki no de 月の出（つきので）moonrise, Mondaufgang
tsuki no iri 月の入（つきのいり）moonset, Monduntergang
..... irusa no tsuki 入るさの月（いるさのつき）
tsuki noboru 月上る（つきのぼる）moon going up
tsuki wataru 月渡る（つきわたる）moon passing over
tsuku katamuku 月傾く（つきかたむく）moon bending down
tsuki otsu 月落つ（つきおつ）moon going down
tsuki fukuru 月更くる（つきふくる）moon coming late
osozuki 遅月（おそづき）late moon
tsuki no aki 月の秋（つきのあき）"autumn of the moon"
tsukiyo 月夜（つきよ）night with a moon
..... tsukiyomi 月よみ（つきよみ）
tsukiyogarasu 月夜烏（つきよがらす）crow crowing in a moon night
(Also used for a person who enjoys nightlife like a
karasu.)
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tsuki no wa 月の輪（つきのわ）circle around the moontsuki no kasa 月の暈（つきのかさ）halo around the moon
gengetsu 幻月（げんげつ）"moon illusion" When the moon is close to the horizon, almost white, and looks like having one more moon on each side. This happens when ice crystals in the air break the moonlight.
This is related to a halo around the moon.
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tsukishiro 月白（つきしろ）"moon white"..... tsukishiro 月代 (つきしろ)
When the early moon is coming over the eastern horizon and all is still covered in a kind of white vale.
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kooga 姮娥（こうが）"moon fairy Koga" ..... jooga 嫦娥（じょうが）
According to Chinese legends, the beautiful Jooga (Kooga) (Joga/Koga) shows up in a full moon night. This legend refers to a princess (or sage mountain woman) who run away from an unwanted lover and hid in the moon.
Or she stole the medicine of eternal life from the Heavenly Mother in the West and took flight to the moon.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !.................................................................................
More names for the full moon, reflecting human allusions and resemblances and comparing the moon with other things.
tsuki no kaeru 月の蟾（つきのかえる）toad in the moon
tsuki no nezumi 月の鼠（つきのねずみ）mouse in the moon
tsuki no katsura 月の桂（つきのかつら）
katsura tree in the moon
tsuki no miyako 月の都（つきのみやこ) capital in the moon
(referring to Kyoto)
getsukyuuden 月宮殿（げつきゅうでん）palace in the moon
tsuki no kagami 月の鏡（つきのかがみ）mirror of the moon
tsuki no ken 月の剣（つきのけん）sword of the moon
tsuki no koori 月の氷（つきのこおり）ice of the moon
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tsuki no usagi 月の兎（つきのうさぎ）rabbit in the moon gyokuto 玉兎（ぎょくと）"treasure rabbit"
Click on the image to learn why the hare is pounding rice in the moon !
Tamausagi from Niigata 玉兎の新潟
A sweet bunny ball, like a bunny bowing to the moon. Tama-Usagi.
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. hoshizukiyo 星月夜 (ほしづきよ) starlit night, night with stars as bright as the moon
***************************** Worldwide use*****************************
Things found on the waytsukimi 月見 moon vieweing
. WASHOKU
tsukimi dango 月見団子 dumplings for moon viewing . tsuki no za, 月の座 entertaining visitors for moon viewing WKD : Temple Ginkakuji 銀閣寺
a place for moon viewing Silver Pavilion in Kyoto
The 30 deities for every day of a lunar monthThere are various lists with different deities.
. juusan banjin 三十番神 deities for every day of a month For the day of the full moon, 15, we have
Kasuga Daimyojin, Shaka Nyorai or Amida Nyorai.
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Kalanchoe tomentosaPanda Plant, native of Madagascar
ダルマ月兎耳
Plant like the rabbit in the moon with Daruma
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HAIKU月代や膝に手を置く宵の宿 tsuki shiro ya hiza ni te o oku yoi no yado
white autumn moon -
my hands rest on my knees
at the inn tonight . . . . .
三日月の地は おぼろ也 蕎麦の花 mikazuki no chi wa oboro nari soba no hana
under the moon of the third day
the earth looks hazy -
buckwheat flowers Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉
Basho travelled a lot to be in a famous place for the full moon night.
Here is his report from Tsuruga, where he did not see the moon after all:
月いづく鐘は沈める海の底 tsuki izuku kane wa shizumeru umi no soko
where is the full moon?
the war bell has sunk
to the bottom of the sea Read the fascinating story I found researching about the bell at the bottom of the sea
. Basho in Kanegasaki, Tsuruga 蒼海の浪酒臭し今日の月 sookai no nami sake kusashi kyoo no tsuki
out of the blue sea
from waves with the fragrance of sake -
the moon tonight . . . . .
名月や池をめぐりて夜もすがら meigetsu ya ike o megurite yo mo sugara
harvest moon -
I walk around the pond
all night long Matsuo Basho, Koshoo 孤松
at Basho-An, where he also wrote the famous "old pond" haiku.
source : www2.yamanashi-ken.ac.jp . yo mo sugara - all night long . yomosugara is a difficult to read rendering, just like
mizunooto would be instead of mizu no oto.
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Kobayashi Issa 一茶
三ケ月や梅からついと本尊へ mikazuki ya ume kara tsui to honzon e
crescent moon -
it mooves from the plum blossoms
to the Buddha statue Maybe Issa is sitting in a temple enjoying the first autumn moon on the third (lunar) day.
honzon is the main statue in a Buddhist temple.
夕月や萩の上行くおとし水
夕月や鍋の中にて啼田螺
夕月や流残りのきりぎりす
evening moon -
a grasshopper left
by the flood Tr. Gabi Greve 古壁やどの穴からも秋の月 furu kabe ya dono ana kara mo aki no tsuki
old wall--
from whichever hole
autumn moon Tr. David Lanoue 世直しの大十五夜の月見かな yo naoshi no oojuugoya no tsukimi kana
the night of reforms
of moon viewing
on the fiftheenth Tr. Gabi Greve yonaoshi "to re-do the world", reform, world-healing, is also a concept of Pure Land Buddhism.
Maybe Basho is making resolutions for himself to improve his life, like we do on the Night of the New Year.
*****************************Related words*****
. Suizenji-nori 水前寺海苔
akizuki nori 秋月苔 "autumn moon nori" Aphanothece sacrum, seaweed
kigo for all summer *****
WKD ... MOON in all SEASONS .SAIJIKI ... HEAVEN
Kigo for Autumn :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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