The United Japanese Society of Hawai‘i hosted its annual Tsukimi no Kai (moon viewing) event at Kapi‘olani Community College on Aug. 18. Guests were encouraged to come dressed in a yukata or hapi coat to add to the evening’s ambiance.
Moon viewing parties are popular in Japan. Friends gather to greet and honor the full moon on the night of Aug. 15 of the lunar calendar. The custom, which was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185), is believed to have started with aristocrats, who would gather to recite poetry inspired by the full moon.
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