Konpon Konya no Tsuki no Hi -- 'Tonight's Moon' Day

What Is "Tonight's Moon" Day?

January 17th is known in Japan as "Konpon Konya no Tsuki no Hi," named for the date in a famous scene from Ozaki Koyo's novel "Konjiki Yasha" (The Golden Demon), where the protagonist Kanichi Hazama speaks to the heroine Omiya on the beach at Atami.

The Famous Line Born From "Konjiki Yasha"

Kanichi tells Omiya: "Omiya, it's January 17th. When this same night comes again next year, I will surely cloud the moon with my tears."

• About the novel: serialized intermittently in the Yomiuri Shimbun starting in 1897 by Ozaki Koyo, the novel was left unfinished when Koyo died young at age 37
• Its popularity: despite being unfinished, it's considered one of the most beloved novels among ordinary people during the Meiji era
• Atami, the setting of "Kanichi and Omiya": in Atami, the town where the story is set, a statue commemorating this scene still stands on the beach today

The Term "Kanichi-gumori"

Inspired by this famous scene, a custom arose of calling a cloudy sky on the night of January 17th "Kanichi-gumori" ("Kanichi's clouds"). Atami still holds the "Ozaki Koyo Festival" on this date today, featuring local geisha performing dances that recreate famous scenes from "Konjiki Yasha."

Tips for Marking This Day

• Read "Konjiki Yasha" yourself, or look up a summary of its plot
• Visit the "Statue of Kanichi and Omiya" in Atami
• Look up at the night sky on January 17th and see whether the moon is visible
• Learn about related events held in Atami, like the Ozaki Koyo Festival

Why One Famous Scene Has Been Retold for Nearly 130 Years

Though the story was left unfinished, its famous scene and line have been passed down across generations, still alive today in the town of Atami. On the night of January 17th, if the moon happens to be visible, take a quiet moment to reflect on the bittersweet romance depicted in this story.