Dinar Kautshar Ramadhona: Momijigari, one of festival in Japan

Japan is one country in Asia that has 4 seasons a year, winter in Japanese called Fuyu (冬), summer called Natsu (夏), autumn called Aki (秋) and spring called Haru (春). In every seasons, there is a lot of festival in the region of Japan, and that festivals always be a tourism magnet for local or foreign tourists. Autumn in Japan begins in September to November, after which Japan enters winter or Fuyu (冬).

Autumn is a season where abundant fruits are ready to be harvested. In addition, the leaves begin to change color because of the decrease in air temperature, is during the day reaches 5 ° C and shortening sunlight to shine. This color change starts from the northern part of Japan and then heading the southern part of Japan. That discolored leaves is the most unique thing in Autumn in Japan. And they have a festival to celebrate this discolored leaves.

The discolored leaves are called Momiji (紅葉). Actually there are 2 ways to read kanji 紅葉, namely Momiji and Koyo. Momiji refers to the type of leaf that changes color, namely plants that belong to the family tree, Ginko and Maple. While Koyo refers to the color changes experienced by these plants to yellow or red before falling down.

Momiji or Red Leaves in Autumn in Japan

Discolored leaves is the main attraction for Japanese society and foreign tourists. Changes from green to red and yellow are the most beautiful and unique things to enjoy.
Japanese society has a tradition to enjoy the beauty of the leaves that change color, called Momijigari (紅葉狩り).

The contents in Manyoushuu (万葉集) which is a Wakashu (Japanese poetry collection) say that, Japanese society in the mid-Edo period (1716-1789) likes to see and pluck the leaves of Momiji (紅葉) for fun and recreation. The word Momijigari (紅葉狩り) consists of 2 words: Momiji (紅葉) and Gari (狩り).
Gari (狩り) is a hunt, used for hunting wild animals such as wild pigs, deer, birds and so on. Another sense is, the activities to collect weeds, wood, fruits on the mountain. The nobles who enjoy the beauty of Momiji (紅葉), likens their activities as hunting. Then came the term Momijigari (紅葉狩り) who became famous among the nobility and then spread to the commoners.

In addition there are Japanese legends that also underlie the term Momijigari (紅葉狩り). In ancient times, there was a monster named Momiji who attacked the village in Togakushi mountain, Nagano. The Emperor ordered to capture the Monster of Momiji because of its existence made the residents restless and worried. Some people who were given the task by the emperor, began to hunt down the monster of Momiji. And the activity is called Momijigari. The legend is still staged in traditional Japanese drama art, Noh or Kabuki with the title "Momijigari".

Momiji Monster

Momiji (紅葉) doesn't appear simultaneously throughout Japan, the foliage that will turn into Momiji (紅葉) adjusted to the region of its existence. For the northernmost regions, Hokkaido and Tohoku, Momijigari (紅葉狩り) can be done earlier in September to November. For the Kansai region, Chubu, Kanto, Koshietsu (Yamanashi, Nagano, Niigata) are able to do Momijigari (紅葉狩り) in early October to early December, while areas in the south, Kyushu, Chugoku, and Shikoku can enjoy Momijigari (紅葉狩り) from end of October to end of November.
During doing Momijigari (紅葉狩り) there is no need to bring equipment because the activity is not to take Momiji (紅葉) but we go to the mountains and enjoy the beauty of Momiji (紅葉) and take some photos for memories.

On 10 November, each year at the temple in Kotohira city, Nakatado district, Kagawa prefecture, Shikoku island, a Momijigari festival (紅葉狩り) is performed with traditional dance performances. Namely Sanuki Fuzokumai (讃岐風俗 ) dance performed by men and Yaotomemai (八少女舞) performed by women. Both dances aim to thank the gods for blessings during the fall.