A celebration of Japanese art, culture, gardens, and more
Japanese art, gardens, and culture will shine during an enchanting afternoon and moonlit evening at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 4-9 p.m. Cheekwood’s 11th annual Japanese Moon Viewing Festival, or Otsukimi, takes place near the date of the Harvest Moon. The event is held in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee.
Guests can immerse themselves in Japanese traditions and the splendor of the Cheekwood gardens. Among the activities are tea ceremony demonstrations, watching musical performances, and attending a kimono fashion show. Additionally, attendees may participate in a variety of art activities.
“The celebration of the Harvest Moon is a time of reflection and appreciation,” says Jonathan Contrades, the Cultural Programs Coordinator for the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. “The Japanese Moon Viewing Festival at Cheekwood is an extraordinarily unique event in our region with cultural performances and demonstrations that are hard to find anywhere else. We hope everyone will enjoy the event.”
Japanese Moon Viewing Festival Event Schedule
Tea Ceremony 5 p.m., 7 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Arboretum Lawn
This popular event takes center stage three times throughout the festival. Steeped in history, the Japanese tea ceremony is a way of preparing, presenting, and ultimately drinking green tea. Guests will watch the tea master prepare the tea and then get to sample the final product. A kendama demonstration follows the 7 p.m. tea ceremony. Originating in Japan over a century ago, kendama is a fun and challenging wooden skill toy.
Nashville Taiko 5:30 p.m. | Arboretum Lawn
Tennessee’s first-ever taiko group takes the stage for a performance packed with percussive power, dynamic music, and graceful choreography. In Japanese, the term “taiko” refers to drums of any type. Nashville Taiko combines ancient Japanese tradition with modern innovation to create an entertaining mix of music, theater, and precision.
Shamisen Knoxville 7:30 p.m. | Arboretum Lawn
Go on a musical journey through Japan with Shamisen Knoxville as your guide. Shamisen is a traditional Japanese 3-string instrument that has been an integral part of Japanese music since the 16th century. The group comprises students from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, as well as others from across the community. They travel throughout the Southeast, spreading the joy of playing the banjo-like instrument.
Kimono Fashion Show 6 p.m. | Arboretum Lawn
The kimono, literally meaning “thing to wear,” is a traditional Japanese article of clothing and the national dress of Japan. See a variety of colors and styles on display during a fashion show and gain an understanding and appreciation of the history of this beautiful garment.
Kamishibai 4:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. | Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Kamishibai literally means “paper theater” in Japanese. It is a form of storytelling that combines a set of standard-size, beautifully illustrated paper cards paired with a scripted performance by a narrator. Guests can see the magical performances come to life during two shows.
Mochi Pounding 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. | Beer Garden
Although Mochi appears to be a simple Japanese rice cake, there is an elaborate process behind it. This includes steaming the rice, pounding it into paste, and molding it into the desired shape. Guests can watch the creation of this tasty snack and then sample it for themselves.
Bilingual Tours of Blevins Japanese Garden (Shōmu-en) 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Take time to nurture your spirit with a visit to Cheekwood’s Blevins Japanese Garden (Shōmu-en, which translates to “pine-mist forest”). Throughout the festival, three bilingual tours are available in Japanese and English. Each tour starts at the garden entrance. The garden takes visitors on a meditative journey and transcends cultures by connecting Eastern garden design with the native Tennessee landscape. David Harris Engel created the garden in 1977, and, in 1990, it was transformed into what we have today.
Haiku Contest Winners announced during the Welcome Ceremony at 6 p.m.
A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with 17 syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Often focusing on images from nature, haiku emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression. Find out the winners of the Japanese Moon Viewing Festival Haiku Contest during the opening ceremony.
Ikebana Display and Demonstration 4 – 8 p.m. | Frist Learning Center Courtyard
Ikebana is the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers. The practice, which translates to “making flowers come alive,” uses carefully selected blossoms, greenery, and other flora to convey a specific feeling or emotion to an observer. Ikebana remains a cherished tradition in Japan and is passed down from generation to generation as a way of connecting with nature and expressing creativity. Catch a demonstration from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The display is available for guests to enjoy throughout the festival.
Nashville Bonsai Society Display 4 – 8 p.m. | Frist Learning Center Great Hall
Step indoors and out of the moonlight to view meticulously manicured bonsai trees provided by the Nashville Bonsai Society. Bonsai history is rich, rooted in tradition and technique, and the practice is complex.
Art Activities 4 – 8 p.m. | Frist Learning Center Courtyard
- Japanese Calligraphy
Learn about traditional Japanese calligraphy and writing by choosing a phrase from our list to take home with you as a souvenir. - Write Your Own Kanji
Kanji refers to the Chinese characters adopted into the Japanese writing system. The complex characters represent words and ideas. Learn about the beauty of these characters and create your own imaginative symbol using a brush and ink on paper. - Japanese Luna Moth
The Japanese Luna Moth is native to Japan, Korea, China, and India. Like the moon, the Luna Moth is often associated with spirit and transformation and symbolizes fragility and courage despite change. Make your own “pop-up” Luna Moth using the provided supplies. - Rabbit in the Moon Banner
Celebrate the Japanese Moon Viewing at Cheekwood by making a banner commemorating the festival and the classic Japanese folktale.
Vendors 4 – 9 p.m. | Lot B
Enjoy Asian food and drinks from local food trucks and chefs, as well as displays by local organizations including the Japan-America Society of Tennessee and Sister Cities Nashville.
Ticket Information
The Japanese Moon Viewing Festival is free for Cheekwood members. For not-yet members, tickets for adults cost $23, and $16 for youth (3-17). Children two and under are free. Reserving a timed-entry ticket in advance is required for all guests. During busy seasons and events, Cheekwood may reach parking capacity. If parking capacity is reached, walk-up tickets will only be available for those utilizing rideshare services.
Tickets are available at Cheekwood’s Japanese Moon Viewing Festival event page.
Japanese Moon Viewing is sponsored by HCA and supported by Nissan Foundation, Asurion, and Mitsui.