Rabbit in the Moon.

My favorite Japanese myth is the rabbit in the moon. Unlike our man in the moon, the Japanese believe there is instead a rabbit that pounds mochi. The rabbit symbolizes good fortune and longevity and it is associated with the cycle of life and changes in the seasons.

The shinto festival known as Tsukimi is coming up soon. Tsukimi means, literally, "moon viewing". People have evening picnics and food is served that either symbolizes the moon (like the aduki bean and sweet mochi dessert)or celebrates the fall season.