June’s Full Moon: the Strawberry Moon

On 6 June, the full moon known as the Strawberry Moon rose into the night sky over Hyakuna.

Shining down on the hotel, quiet and almost divine, it filled the heart in a way that is hard to explain.

I had not known until now that the full moon has a different name for each month.

June’s full moon, the Strawberry Moon, comes from the customs of Native Americans, and is said to be named for the season when wild strawberries are gathered.

In Japan, since ancient times, the moon has had names for its phases, for the seasons and for all kinds of occasions. Elsewhere in the world, too, where the moon was just as much a part of daily life, people gave a name to the full moon of each of the twelve months.

The next full moon, on 5 July, is the Buck Moon.

We are already looking forward to seeing how it will appear in the summer night sky.