The Tradition of Moon Viewing and Sake

What Is the Relationship Between Tsukimi and Sake?

赏月与清酒有何关联？

Tsukimi (月見）is an ancient Japanese tradition of autumn moon viewing. The word itself means what it is, “looking at the moon. The custom is thought to have originated with Japanese aristocrats during the Heian period; influenced by the Chinese custom of Mid-Autumn Festival, they would gather to recite poetry under the full moon.

赏月(月見)是日本古老的秋季观月传统。这个词本身的意思是“看着月亮”。普遍认为此习俗起源于平安时代的日本贵族。受中国中秋节习俗的影响，他们会在满月的时候聚在一起吟诗。

The quality of the harvest impacted the livelihood of the whole community so celebrating the harvest was a very important tradition. To celebrate the harvest and thank the gods, farming communities usually had a festival on the night of the full moon after all the crops were brought in.

丰收的质量影响着整个社会的生计，因此庆祝丰收是一个非常重要的传统。为了庆祝丰收并感谢神灵，农业社会时代通常会在庄稼收割后的满月之夜举行一个节日。

It is traditional to gather in a place where the Moon can be seen clearly, decorate the scene with Japanese pampas grass, and to serve white rice dumplings (known as Tsukimi dango), taro, edamame, chestnuts and other seasonal foods, plus sake as offerings to the Moon in order to pray for an abundant harvest.

传统习俗是在月亮可以看得清楚的地方聚会，用日本潘巴斯草装饰场景，并供养白米饺子(称作月见团子)，芋头，毛豆，栗子和其他应季食物，加上清酒作为祭品，以祈求丰收。

So why don’t you organise a moon-viewing party with some poetry and a bottle of good sake? We have one special sake that is perfect for the occasion!

那你为什么不组织一个赏月派对，来点诗歌和一瓶上好的清酒呢?我们有一种非常特别的清酒，非常适合这种场合!

Kaganotsuki Gekko Junmai Daiginjo

加贺之月 月光纯米大吟酿

Kaganotsuki Gekko Junmai Daiginjo is the perfect sake for moon viewing as it embodies the beauty of the moon. In pursuit of an intangible artform, Kaetsu Brewery aimed to capture the soft radiance and white glow of the moon in a sake bottle. And they may just have succeeded. Gekko meaning “moonlight” evokes a mysterious, still and thoughtful imagery, that this Sake aims to encapsulate in one bottle.

加贺之月 月光纯米大吟酿是观赏月亮的完美清酒，因为它体现了月亮的美丽。为了追求一种无形的艺术形式，加越酒造成功的捕捉柔和洁白的月光，将其融合于瓶中清酒。Gekko意为“月光”，唤起了一种神秘、静止和深思的意象，这款清酒旨在将其浓缩在酒中。

Kaganotsuki Gekko won the "Highest Gold Award" in the Premium Kanzake category of the National Kanzake Contest 2016. Exquisitely harmonious natural rice flavor and savory ginjo incense, reminiscent of mysterious moonlight. It has a gentle aroma and a smooth and deep taste, and you can fully feel the umami of rice. Sipping on this sake under the moonlight would certainly make for a wonderful special moment!

加贺之月 月光纯米大吟酿获得2016年全国温酒大赛高级温酒类别“最高金奖”。精致和谐的天然米香和香浓的吟醸酒香，让人想起到神秘的月光。香气柔和，口感顺滑深沉，能充分感受到米的鲜甜。在月光下啜饮这种清酒一定会是一个美妙的特殊时刻!