Moon Rabbit

The moon, a symbol of the feminine and mystery, among others. Many cultures have pondered over the mystery of the lunar sphere, including those of the East. Stories of the Moon were rife and renown as the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.

Before the Westerners arrived on Chinese shores, China ruled his part of the world and with dozens of states subordinate to him. To the Chinese, his culture and ways are the only civilised way and grew proud of them.

Under the gaze of the longing moon and on top of a gentle hill, China held onto the three children lying around him. These children were of his kind, and would one day grew to be Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

"…And the maiden consumed the pills of immortality and flew far away from the hunter, never to be seen again," China said, "and that ends the tale of the Ten Suns."

"But 老师, what became of the maiden?" asked Macau.

"Legends say that she eventually settled on the Moon and became a fairy there," China said, "in fact, you can see her rabbit companion on the Moon there."

China pointed towards the Moon, which was clear and glowing in the blanket of darkness.

"I want the bunny on the Moon!" Taiwan cried, jumping in a futile attempt to grab the Moon.

"Chugoku-sensei, would you refrain from misleading the young ones?" a soulless voice lectured.

China knew just who it was. Japan was coming towards the Chinese state. Tagging along with him is Im Yong-soo, who would be known as South Korea many centuries later.

"Japan, I am only telling them the same story I told you centuries ago!" China exclaimed.

"I too have looked at the sky for many centuries and I have come to my conclusion," Japan said, "there is no fairy on the Moon, only the rabbit. It is grounding rice to be made into mochi."

"Mochi?" China wondered, "What is that?"

"Rice cakes, daze~!" exclaimed Korea, "Have I mentioned that they originated from me?"

"Why would a rabbit go around making rice cakes?" exclaimed China, "it does not even have hands to do so!"

"If you look at the distinct patterns of the Moon, you can see the rabbit clearly making mochi," Japan replied.

"Yeah… Mr Japan is correct," Taiwan said, "I can see the rabbit with a stick… it's like pounding stuff…"

"I also believe in him!" Korea declared, "I must say that belief also originates from Korea, along with rabbits and the Moon culture."

"It appears we share various commonalities, Korea-kun," Japan stated, "you and your oni-san must be related to me. We should be under the same roof together, under one flag."

"Aiyah! You cannot ignore me like that!" China yelled, who was thrashing around on the spot.

Just then, China suddenly rolled off the hill and went downwards. On the spot where China was, a pissed Hong Kong held out his hands.

"What did you do that for?" Taiwan exclaimed.

"He was annoying and I was trying to sleep," Hong Kong explained, with a tone drained of feelings.

"Being under China's rule is only harming them," Japan thought, "I cannot let my family collapse…"

Omake – Netherlands and the Isolative Japan

"I appreciate your hospitality as always, Japan," Netherlands said, while glaring at the nervous Osaka next to Japan, "Unlike some people who always butt in our meetings."

"Holland-san, please be honest with me on what I will be asking," Japan said, "what… what is this?"

Japan took out a map, depicting the East Asian region. The Japanese port of Nagasaki was annotated with 'port of call'. An island was circled and annotated as 'Potential Dutch territory'; the map named the name as Formosa. Another portion in the south of China was marked with 'Portuguese sighted. Tread with caution'.

"Where have you found this?" wondered the Netherlands.

"I found it on the floor the last time you came here," Osaka cried, "I know what you foreigners are up to!"

"I have nothing to be ashamed of," Netherlands said, "Formosa has spices that I want to procure for trade. Besides, I sighted a youthful little thing there."

"Holland-san, please withdraw from Formosa," Japan pleaded, "she is part of my family."

"You know, it may be only me, Portugal and Spain currently," Netherlands said, puffing his pipe, "but the rest are catching up like England and France. I can guarantee you that this region will be collateral damage by those two."

"I cannot let that happen!" Japan exclaimed.

"Then, be stronger," Netherlands said, "to be weak is an undoing. Nonetheless, thank you for finding my map."

Translation Notes

老师 – Teacher