text: what is the japanese mythological story behind the "rabbit on the moon"?   in japan, there is a legend that a rabbit lives on the moon pounding mochi (rice cake). in china, there is a legend that a rabbit lives on the moon pounding the elixir (medicine).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mochi#other  http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2004/04/05-0001.html