Nelson Izu-Shi Friendship Society
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      • Autumn Leaves October 2016
      • Consul General visits Nelson November 2016
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Moon viewing and Haiku reading

 
​On September 16 2016 an enthusiastic group of Society members gathered at the foot of Hall Street in Nelson for Otsukimi- お月見 -  ​Moon viewing  on the occasion of the full moon.  Initially there was a cloud bank that obscured the moon, but later the clouds thinned out and gave way to the spectacular harvest moon.


​Shoko Armstrong explained that, in Japan, Otsukimi coincides with the harvest season, and people gather around a display of autumnal flowers, fruit and rice cakes called dango.   The moon is admired and members of the group read haiku, Japanese poems arranged in three lines containing five, seven and five syllables.   Though the origins of haiku date back to 1200 years before the present, the form was taken to a higher level in the 17th century by Matsuo Basho and remains popular to this day. 

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​  Here is a selection  of Haiku  about the moon, that members read by moonlight:  

Meigetsu ya                Ah, the harvest moon
ikeo megurite              beside a pond wandering         
Basho Matsuo   1686

yomo sugara               all night long                                                                                                                           
Meigutsu ya                 The bright full moon
tatamino ueni                on the tatami mats              
Takarai Kikaku  1692
matsuno kage               shadow of pine tree
                                                                   


Meigetsu o                 "I want the harvest moon"  
totte kurero to           crying child begs                 
Kobayashi Issa  1818
nakuko kana                                                                                                                                                        

Tsuki ichirin                 Around the lone moon
hoshimusu sora              countless stars                 
Masaoka Shiki   1902

midorinari                     the sky now green                                                                                                                

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  • Home
  • Sister Cities
    • Origins of the Nelson – Shuzenji (now Izu-shi) Relationship
    • NELSON EXCHANGE VISIT TO IZU-SHI - SPRING 2019
    • IZU-SHI EXCHANGE VISIT TO NELSON - SUMMER 2019
    • NELSON DELEGATION VISIT TO IZU-SHI - SPRING 2017
    • IZU-SHI DELEGATION VISIT TO NELSON - SUMMER 2017 >
      • The yunomi jyawan
      • celebratory quilt
      • Saturday market
      • Mona Smith's Photos
      • Flashback to summer
  • The Friendship Garden
    • A Short History
    • Building the Friendship Gate
  • Community Events
    • Community Events 2023 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) 2023
    • Community Events 2022 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) 2022
      • O-Bon Summer Picnic - August 2022
      • Otsukimi Moon Viewing & Haiku Reading Sept 2022
      • Autumn Leaves Oct. 2022
      • 35Th Anniversary, Opening The Garden Shed, And Honouring Jim Sawada
    • Community Events 2021 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) 2021
      • Canada Day July 2021
      • Olympic & Para Olympic Cycling July 2021
      • Autumn Leaves Oct. 2021
    • Community Events 2020 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) 2020
      • Canada Day Tent July 2020
    • Community Events 2019 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) 2019
      • Obon Summer picnic - August 2019
      • Onibana Taiko Drumming Performance - August 2019
      • Otsukimi Moon Viewing & Haiku Reading Sept 2019
      • Autumn Leaves Oct. 2019
    • Community Events 2018 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) May 2018
      • Canada Day July 2018
      • O-bon Summer Potluck Picnic - August 2018
      • Otsukimi Moon Viewing & Haiku Reading Sept 2018
      • Autumn Leaves Oct. 2018
    • Community events 2017 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) May 2017
      • Songs and Laments May 2017
      • Canada Day July 2017
      • Obon Picnic August 2017
      • Otsukimi (Full Moon Viewing & Haiku Reading) Sept. 2017
      • Autumn Leaves October 2017
    • Community Events 2016 >
      • Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) May 2016
      • Canada Day July 2016
      • Obon Picnic August 2016
      • Otsukimi (Full Moon Viewing and Haiku Reading) Sept. 2016
      • Presentation to City Council September 2016
      • Autumn Leaves October 2016
      • Consul General visits Nelson November 2016
  • About us
    • Executive and board
    • Contact
    • Brochure
  • MEMBERSHIPS