お月見 Otsukimi is a party to enjoy viewing the moon. This custom came from China in 9th century. At that time(Heian Period 794-1192) it was only enjoyed by nobles, they playing the musical instruments, making poems and drinking sake.
A time passes it changed into simpler event which they viewed the moon and went out for fun at that night. Then it had a meaning to pray for a good harvest.For Otsukimi we offer rice dumpling to the moon. It’s a fall event.
Tea ceremony is also enjoyed outside watching the moon on Otsukimi night. It’s very pleasant to feel breeze, viewing the full moon, sometime listening the Koto:Japanese harp.
I just love this event.
In Japan it is said that rabbits are in the moon and they are making rice cakes.When I was little,I tried very hard to see the rabbits on the moon.