Japanese Words Related to the Moon‘s Phases396

The moon plays a significant role in Japanese culture and language. Various words and phrases are used to describe the moon's different phases and their associated beliefs and traditions.

Full Moon (まんまる, manmaru)* まんまるmanmaru - Perfect circle
* 満月mangetsu - Full moon
* 十五夜jūgoya - The 15th night of the month, when the full moon is at its peak

Waxing Moon (三日月, mikazuki)* 三日月mikazuki - Crescent moon
* 上弦の月jōgen no tsuki - First quarter moon
* 有明ariake - The bright crescent moon visible in the morning sky before sunrise

Waning Moon (下弦の月, kagen no tsuki)* 下弦の月kagen no tsuki - Last quarter moon
* 三日月mikazuki - Crescent moon
* 残月zangetsu - The waning moon

New Moon (新月, shingetsu)* 新月shingetsu - New moon
* 朔tsuitachi - The first day of the month, when the new moon occurs
* 闇夜yamiyo - The night of the new moon, when the moon is not visible

Moon Halo (月暈, tsuki-kasa)* 月暈tsuki-kasa - Moon halo
* 月冠tsuki-kanmuri - Moon crown
* かさがけkasagake - A moon halo that resembles a bamboo hat

Lunar Eclipse (月食, getsu-shoku)* 月食getsu-shoku - Lunar eclipse
* 赤銅色shakudō-iro - The copper-red color of the moon during a lunar eclipse

Other Moon-Related Words* 月見tsukimi - Moon viewing
* お月見o-tsukimi - Formal moon viewing, often associated with the mid-autumn moon festival
* 月夜tsukiyo - Moonlight night
* 月読tsukuyomi - The Japanese moon god

Cultural Significance of the Moon in JapanThe moon has significant cultural and religious importance in Japan. The traditional Japanese calendar is lunisolar, meaning it is based on the cycles of both the moon and the sun. Many Japanese festivals and rituals are timed according to the moon's phases.
The full moon is particularly revered in Japan. It is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and harmony. People often gather to celebrate the full moon with special ceremonies and offerings.
The moon is also a common motif in Japanese art and literature. It symbolizes beauty, mystery, and the passage of time. Many famous poems, paintings, and songs have been inspired by the moon's beauty and its connection to human emotions.

2025-01-18

Previous：How to Pronounce Korean ției

Next：Korean Ear: Unveiling the Secrets of Native-Like Pronunciation