A culturally enriching event under the full moon. Bishop Museum has partnered with the United Japanese Society of Hawaii to bring their annual Tsukimi no Kai (Full Moon Viewing). Moon-viewing parties are a tradition in Japan, where friends gather to admire the beauty of the full moon. The custom, which was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara and Heian periods (710–1185), is believed to have started with aristocrats, who would gather to recite poetry inspired by the full moon.

Festivities include a Tamagushi offering and blessing, traditional tea ceremony, koto and shakuhachi performance, taiko drumming, odori, tsukimi dango tasting and a variety of food vendors to satisfy your evening cravings. The Museum will also highlight the exhibit Gannenmono: A Legacy of Eight Generations in Hawaiʻi in the Picture Gallery with additional access to the rest of the galleries including programming in the Planetarium and the Science Adventure Center. We will also be welcoming the Hawaiian Astronomical Society to allow everyone a glimpse of the night sky through one of their telescopes (weather permitting).