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The Moon Rabbit Legend: Exploring Japan's Enchanting Lunar Story
Have you heard the moon rabbit story? This is one of the most famous tales in East Asia, and it gives a mythological reason for the dark markings we see on the side of the moon. It even served as an inspiration for Usagi Tsukino, the main character in the manga-anime series Sailor Moon. Let’s take a deep dive into this story and uncover its ties to selflessness, sacrifice, and gratitude.
Introduction: Unveiling Japan's Moon Rabbit Legend (Tsuki no Usagi)
The Japanese myth about the moon and the rabbit is a tale that has been passed on for generations. It’s a story about how a moon god came down to earth disguised as a beggar and asked a group of animals for some food. A rabbit (usagi) offered to throw himself in the fire so that the man could have a meal. Touched by the rabbit’s selflessness, the moon god decided to reward him by taking him to live with the gods on the moon. Legend has it that the dark outline visible on a full moon is the rabbit pounding mochi.
Because of this story, rabbits have become symbols of good fortune and benevolence in Japanese culture. It also serves as an example of the importance of selflessness and sacrifice. Perhaps the most obvious impact of the story is evident in how it affects the celebration of the Tsukimi or moon viewing festivals in Japan. The moon rabbit tale is not exclusive to Japan. Many other cultures have their own versions of the story. Among them, China and Korea also have mid-autumn festivals associated with the legend. The following are the different aspects of the mythical rabbit we intend to cover in this post:
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The origins of the story
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The full story
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Symbolism
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Cultural significance
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Impact on art, literature, and popular media (including Sailor Moon)
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Festivals
Origins of the Moon Rabbit Story
The moon rabbit tale first appeared in East Asia in the 2nd century. The earliest version was included in a Chinese anthology or collection of poems known as the Chu Ci. The poem in question suggested that during the Warring States Period (475 BCE–221 BCE), there was a mythical hare living on the moon and pounding herbs for celestial beings. In the 10th century, Chinese scholars compiled the Taiping Yulan, an ancient encyclopedia that also mentioned the hare on the moon. You should know that there were no rabbits in China at the time. Hence, the original moon animal was the hare, and it was called “Jade Hare” or “Gold Hare.”
The earliest known version of the story in Japan appeared in the Konjaku Monogatarishū, a collection of 1,000+ poems written late into the Heian period (794–1185). Since then, stories of the moon rabbit have graced Japanese folklore and Buddhist mythology. Most of them follow the original Japanese version of the tale with minor variations.
The Tale of the Moon Rabbit: A Japanese Folklore
Once upon a time, a moon god, known as the Man on the Moon, decided to visit earth disguised as a beggar. It’s unclear why he made this decision. However, many gods and spirits in Asian folklore regularly come down to earth disguised as humans. On this fateful night, a fox, monkey, and rabbit happened to come across the beggar, and he asked them for some food. They decided to help him because of how hungry he looked. The monkey brought fruit plucked from a nearby tree and offered it to the beggar. The fox went to the stream and caught some fish, which he presented to the beggar.
The rabbit realized that he had nothing to offer the beggar. The only thing it knew how to do was gather grass, and humans did not eat that. Confused and unhappy, the rabbit sat in a corner. Suddenly, he had an idea. Humans love to eat meat. Without hesitation, he asked the beggar to build a fire. When that was done, the rabbit jumped into the flames, hoping to serve as a meal for the hungry beggar.
Astounded by the rabbit’s sacrifice, the beggar changed back into his true form and pulled the creature out of the fire. As a reward, the Man on the Moon carried the rabbit back home with him. The selfless rabbit lives on the moon to this day. If you look at a full moon, you can make out an outline of the rabbit pounding mochi with a mortar and pestle in its eternal home.
The Symbolism Behind the Moon Rabbit
For centuries, rabbits have been symbols of good luck, longevity, and benevolence. This symbolism has a lot to do with how the story of the moon rabbit has been interpreted. The rabbit’s good luck allowed it to stumble on the beggar by chance. By securing a place on the moon with the other immortals, the rabbit represents the longevity that comes with favor from the gods. His benevolent nature, as depicted in the story, is a representation of kindness.
The moral lessons from the Japanese tale have caused some to see the rabbit as an epitome of selflessness, sacrifice, and generosity. The rabbit's kindness and eventual appearance on the moon are a constant reminder of our obligation to embody these traits as humans and show compassion to those in need. If a rabbit can make sacrifices to help a stranger, so can we!
Cultural Significance of the Moon Rabbit in Japan
The moon rabbit is more than a character in Japanese folklore. To many people, especially believers in Buddhism, the rabbit on the moon exists as a sign of rebirth and resurrection. It appears in traditional arts, literature, festivals, and celebrations. We’ll reveal more about the impact of the moon rabbit and his mochi on Tsukimi festivals later in this post. People praying for success in their business or careers often see the sight of a white rabbit, either real or manmade, as a sign of good fortune.
The moon rabbit has also made its way into pop culture, serving as inspiration for beloved characters in anime, manga, and video games. Thanks to Japan’s timeless love for cute animals, these bunnies have endeared themselves to the hearts of many young teens and adults.
The Moon Rabbit in Art and Literature
This moon folklore character has been depicted in various two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts. One of such depictions is in the creation of usagi crafts, which are rabbit figurines made of porcelain, ceramics, washi paper, lacquer, glass, Ittobori wood, and textiles. You can also find usagi-related works on paper, including paintings and illustrations on Ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
Even more depictions of the character and its folklore appear in Japan through written poems and storybooks. Some of these books contain watered-down versions of the tale of the moon rabbit to make them easier for children in school to read and understand. They also place more emphasis on the morals of generosity and kindness that accompany the story. Other forms of cultural expression, like traditional theatrical plays and musicals, showcase the deified rabbit from time to time.
Moon Viewing Festivals: Celebrating the Moon Rabbit
Tsukimi or Otsukimi means “moon viewing” in Japan. The term represents a group of festivals held annually across Japan in honor of the autumn moon. There is no specific location for Tsukimi because different venues host their own festivals. The festival begins on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and ends on its 18th day, according to the traditional Japanese calendar. This means that it typically falls in September or October. In 2024, the festival starts on the 17th of September.
Tsukimi gained popularity in Japan during the Heian period (794 AD–1185), heavily influenced at the time by the Chinese mid-autumn festivals. Japanese aristocrats were the pioneers of the tradition. They took their boats into the water and basked in the moonlight. Moon viewing evolved in the Edo Period (1603–1868), growing more spiritual and traditional as it became associated with the harvest moon.
The modern version of the Harvest Moon festival features music, poetry, food, and decorations. There is no restriction on the venue for such events, but they typically take place in parks, gardens, temples, and shrines. Some families invite friends and relatives over for a moon viewing party in their yards. Moon rabbits have a special connection to the event, thanks to the tale. You'll find various rabbit-themed foods and snacks. Rabbit-shaped or decorated mochi is a staple at these events. Other common foods eaten at Tsukimi festivals include tsukimi-dango, soba, sweet potatoes, burgers, and pumpkins.
Best Tsukimi Festivals in Japan
If you’re in Japan in time for the autumn moon viewing festivals, the following are the best places to enjoy the event:
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Tokyo Skytree: Amidst the festivities in and around the large tower, you can enjoy the views from the observation decks. Jazz music is another common feature of the event.
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Sankeien Gardens: Located in Yokohama, the gardens are lit throughout the festival, creating a beautiful nighttime scene.
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Ise Shrine: Ise City’s grand shrine is one of the most famous religious spots for moon viewing in Japan.
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Himeji Castle: One of the most beautiful castles in the country, this venue is famous for offering good food, local beer, taiko drumming, and musical performances.
Comparisons with Other Cultures: Moon Rabbit Myths Worldwide
Earlier in this post, we mentioned how different cultures have their own versions of the moon rabbit and its tale. Let’s compare the Japanese Moon Rabbit tale with similar legends from other cultures around the world.
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Buddhist: The rabbits companions vary in this version. It mentions four animals instead of three (monkey, jackal, otter, and rabbit). The deity of the Buddhist tale is called Śakr, and he draws the rabbit's image on the moon. Buddhists believe the rabbit to be a bodhisattva (one who seeks awakening).
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Chinese: The rabbit is an eternal companion to Chang'e, the moon goddess, and it pounds the elixir of life. Mid-Autumn festivals in China are commonly associated with this version of the story.
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Korean: The rabbit pounds Korean rice cakes. The festival is called Chuseok.
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Vietnamese: The Jade Rabbit, Moon Lady, and Cuội come down to earth to offer gifts to children.
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Aztec: Quetzalcoatl is the god who elevated the rabbit to the moon and returned it back to earth after imprinting its outline on the moon.
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Mesoamerican: Nanahuatzin sacrificed himself to become the god Tecciztecatl. In some versions, he took the shape of a rabbit before doing so.
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Cree (Canadian and American): A crane helps a rabbit fulfil his wish of riding the moon.
Modern Interpretations of the Moon Rabbit
There have been many references, depictions, and interpretations of the moon rabbit story in modern Japanese culture. The most popular reference has to be in the Sailor Moon manga and anime series. The main character’s human name is Usagi Tsukino, which closely resembles the term for “Moon Rabbit” (Tsuki no usagi). You’ll find other manga and anime references to the moon rabbit in Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, My Hero Academia, and One Piece.
Video game characters are not left out. The moon rabbit served as inspiration for many of them, including Reisen Udongein Inaba from the Touhou Project series, Chang'e and her Jade Rabbit in Smite, and Ruby in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Conclusion: The Enduring Charm of Japan's Moon Rabbit Legend
Cute, kind, and fascinating, it’s little wonder that the charm of the moon rabbit legend has lasted for so long. Every generation will be drawn to its moral themes and captivating plot. It also helps that it’s a pretty simple and straight-forward story with multiple cultural versions.
A simple gift can go a long way this autumn. Browse the Bokku Boutique collection of gift items from Japan and find the ideal present for the special people in your life. We offer several cute animal-themed gifts, including the Donut Strawberry Rabbit and the Kawaii Gift Box.
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