Hi,

In answer to your question about the rabbit in the
moon legend the following may be useful:


Myths and Legend's of Japan
by F. Hadland Davis
Published 1913


p. 162

"To this day Japanese peasants still believe in the
Hare in the Moon. This animal employs its time in
pounding rice in a mortar and making rice cakes. The
origin of this conception is probably to be found in a
pun, for 'rice-cake' and 'full moon' are both
described by the word mochi."
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