Momijigari: the magic of Japan in autumn

For one leaf that falls, others are thinking about being born. Applying a philosophical view to the participation of a ritual is the right approach to deeply understand the way of experiencing even such a natural event as autumn foliage, according to Japanese culture.

Momijigari in Japan is the most anticipated autumn event; a gentle hunt, armed with eyes and poetry, that seeks in red and yellow the lesson of "letting go."

Momiji, "autumn leaves," and Kari, "hunting," autumn leaf hunting is an age-old ritual, as evidenced by the ancient literature of the Land of the Rising Sun, beginning in the Heian period (8th-12th centuries). The practice originated in aristocratic circles-unlike hanami, which has peasant origins-among whom the customary stroll through autumn gardens was considered the preferred context for accompanying artistic and literary activities. Poems and music were written among the deciduous leaves, people read and were inspired.

The leaves are mainly those of maples and ginkgo bilobas, which, from October through December, color the landscapes of fairy-tale Nipponese gardens and forests with red and gold. 

The vertical development of Japan's territory makes momijigari an itinerant event; in fact, it starts in September from the northernmost regions, such as Hokkaido prefecture, and descends, as autumn becomes apparent, further and further south where, as in Kioto and Osaka prefectures, the show lasts until December.

Momijigari is participation in the last show of the tree population before the bare winter gathering, it is contemplation of the wisdom of those who know how to let go of what has ceased its cycle, it is being able to see the great beauty of this wisdom.