Otsukimi-Dorobo/お月見泥棒
lit. Moon viewing thief
Otsukimi-Dorobo/お月見泥棒
lit. Moon viewing thief
There is an interesting custom called Tsukimi-Dorobo in some areas including
Nagoya.
| Prefecture | Area | Special calling |
| Fukushima Pref. | Hanawa-cho, Higashi Shirakawa-gun 福島県東白川郡塙町 |
- |
| Ibaraki Pref. | Hitaka-cho, Hitachi C. 茨城県日立市日高町 |
- |
| Taishi-cho, Kuji-gun 茨城県久慈郡太子町 |
- | |
| Chiba Pref. | Yokota, Sodegaura C. | Dangotsuri/団子釣り |
| Koito, Kimitsu C. Kururi, Kimitsu C. Seiwa, Kimitsu C. |
Dangotsuri/団子釣り | |
| Sakurai, Tomitsu C. | Dangotsuki/団子釣り | |
| Tokyo Pref. | Tama Area | Obasan, Kaki Kunna/おばさん！柿くんな! |
| Yamanashi Pref. | Kofu C. | - |
| Aichi Pref. | Nagoya C. | - |
| Umemori-cho, Nisshin C. | - | |
| Mie Pref. | Yokkaichi C. | - |
| Nara Pref. | Kami-machi, Ikoma C. | - |
| Osaka Pref. | Kishiwada C. | Dango Tsukasetee/団子突かせてぇ |
| Oita Pref. | Ohzai, Ohita C. | Miigetsusama/みいげつさま |
| Kagoshima Pref. | Yoron-toh, Oshima-gun | twunga Twunga /トゥンガトゥンガ |
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| ©TakuhoKomuten | ||
In old time, only once a year, children were allowed to steal Tsukimi-dango
offering on the jugoya day
to cerebrate the good harvest of the year.
People leave Otsukimi-Dango some good point easy to be stealed and children
steal them with a long rod with a nail or steel wire, etc.
Now, the way of Otsukimi-Dorobo is vary considerably from one region to
another.
For example, in some area, people put Otsukimi Dango (and snacks) outside
of the entrance hall or under the eave of the house
and children eat them freely.
In another area, children visit private residence around theirs and
shout "Otsukimi-Dorobo desu! / Here comes a Otsukimi thief !, and
ask snacks.
