On Oct. 9, J-club and DePauw China Connection collaborated to hold the annual Moon Festival. Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Moon Festival is a widely celebrated holiday across East and Southeast Asia that originated over 3,000 years ago from the Shang Dynasty of China. The festival was brought to Japan during the Heian period (794-1185), and was renamed Tsukimi. It became known as the Harvest Moon Festival as it became extensively embraced by the populace during the Tokugawa(1603-1868) or Edo period.
Before the event began, the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) was bustling as the DePauw student body and staff awaited the traditional foods. Hardworking club members prepared matcha drinks made with soy, oat and regular milk. The clubs made mochi from glutinous rice flour and topped with kinako or roasted soy bean flour and served salted egg yolk moon cakes.
J-club President Sae Ishizeki ‘28 shared, “In Japan, the Mid-Autumn festival celebrates the abundant harvest of the season. Mochi’s round shape symbolized the full moon. Matcha is popular across the world, so we provided a variety of milk options for our drink for students to enjoy, regardless of dietary restrictions.”
In addition, DePauw China Connect President Benson Qin ‘28 mentions, “I was glad to have the opportunity to share the brief history of the Mid-Autumn Festival with everyone. It was great seeing everybody come together with their friends to celebrate this holiday with us.” Qin shared that in China, the round shapes of moon cakes symbolize harmony and reunion. “It is traditionally eaten with family and friends while viewing the full moon.”
Overall, this event was a smashing success with an amazing turnout where participants were presented with a fun way to explore other cultures.
