VOL.207 SEPTEMBER 2025
THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC CULTURE OF JAPAN
[Native Creatures of Japan] Japanese Hare
The Japanese hare is native to Japan and found in various regions across the country. It is around 45 cm to 55 cm in body length and weighs around 2.5 kg. It lives in forests, grasslands, and farmlands, eating grass, leaves, hard tree branches, and bark, using its well-developed upper incisors. Its fur is brownish-red, a color that blends into its surroundings and protects it from enemies. In snowy areas, some turn completely white in winter, except for the tips of their ears. It has long, well-developed hind legs that enable it to run at speeds up to 80 km/h. The Japanese hare is active at night and does not have a shelter, so in the daytime it hides in the bases of trees, in the shade of rocks, or in grassy areas. Its highly cautious nature makes it hard to spot.
In Japan, the most beautiful moon of the year is called chushu no meigetsu1 (mid-Autumn moon), and there is a tradition of viewing the moon on that day called tsuki-mi2 (moon-viewing). One ancient belief passed down is that the patterns on the moon’s surface show a rabbit pounding mochi (rice cakes).
- 1. The moon seen on the night of the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar (September to October in our present-day solar calendar, as the date varies each year). Also called jugoya (literally, “night of the 15th”).
- 2. A traditional event where people enjoy viewing the moon. It especially refers to viewing the mid-autumn moon and the nochi no tsuki (later moon) on the 13th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar, which is considered the last moon of autumn. During tsuki-mi, people express gratitude for the autumn harvest by preparing dumplings made by kneading grain flour with water and shaping it into little balls that are steamed or boiled. They also enjoy foods like potatoes such as taro and sweet potatoes as well as chestnuts, and make decorations of susuki grass.
Photo: PIXTA; Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park