tsukimi, moon viewing party, heian

Still having trouble with my website, so I'm trying LJ post instead! :)
Tonight's moon-viewing party completely changed my attitude. And really, bad attitudes are lame anyway, right? I am ready to start fresh tomorrow and kick my to-do list!

This is my first time going to a Tsukimi (Moon Viewing) party! :) I'm so happy to be able to get to know kimono club members and my sensei better. I am really enjoying these type of events.
This one was my very favorite one so far.

The entire event revolves around the idea of harvest moon + there are bunnies in the moon that make mochi + so lets eat mochi + the moon is really pretty, huh? What is not to like.

The meal at the New Otani was the best one I've had there so far too. It was seriously awesome. I met a lady who teaches Katazome Japanese stencil dying on fabric. (!!!) Her kimono and obi were completely dyed by herself. How stunning! I met many other super sweet people, too. Everyone is always very friendly, and I adore my sensei. After dinner, it was dark, and the moon was out and full. A perfectly clear California night, too. Then a group of Heian musicians came out and played for an hour while we all drank sake and stared at the moon. My only regret is that you some of you guys didn't get to go with me! I don't think Mitch could have sat through the Heian music though. haha. But some of you guys would have dug it, I'm sure.

Tonight, I wore this kimono with butterfly obi

More about tsukimi:
http://japanesefood.about.com/od/holidaytraditionalfood/a/tsukimifood.htm
http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/M/moon/909.html
http://hereandtherejapan.blogspot.com/2006/10/moon-viewing_06.html

	Heian Moon Viewing Party Look at the full moon! on the bottom left is a heian "orchestra" in full costume, too!
	Tsukimi-meal! Several of the items were moon or autumn-themed. The soup had a maple leaf hidden in the bottom of it. Lots of ginko nuts too. I'd never had one. They taste awesome. In fact, everything tasted awesome. I'm proud of myself of eating lots of things I'd never tried before. (I actually ate and didn't hate fish eggs. That may be a one-time thing though. O_O )
	:) my tea and kimono sensei on the far left in orange, Mr. and Mrs. Takase from the LA Kimono club, and me in the middle in light grey. :) Mrs. Takase had an obi with a bunny making mochi on it. SO PERFECT. It was perhaps the most beautiful obi I've seen.
	more Heian music
	Heian dancing. Apparently this song and dance are so old that they don't really know what it means anymore, other than the character is a dragon, and his dance is joyful.