Rabbit in the Moonshot

"The Japanese government unveiled a proposed national space program this week that would include human missions to the Moon in 20 years.

"The plan, released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), calls for the development of a manned spacecraft in the next 10 years, as well as unmanned missions to survey the Moon. At that time, the agency would then decide whether to press ahead with manned spaceflights, including development of a lunar base by 2025."


This post's title is a reference to the culturally held image among the Japanese that a rabbit making rice cakes can be seen in a full moon. Apparently, the Japanese aren't the only ones who've made an association between Luna and Lepus.

"Rabbit in the Moon" is also the name of a film about the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. "Rabbit in the Moon" will be shown at The Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. Admission is free.