Wada Wagashi – Page 3

issho mochi

Hello, everyone! In Japan, there are many celebrations to mark children’s growth, and today I would like to talk about one of them, “issho mochi. What is issho mochi？ “Issho mochi” generally refers to a round rice cake (mochi) made from one shō (about 1.8 liters) of glutinous rice, used to celebrate a child’s first birthday. Issho mochi is also commonly used in celebrations like New Year’s and the construction ceremony of a house. Its round shape is likened to one of the Three Sacred Treasures, the “Yata no Kagami,” and it’s also called “kagamimochi.”It’s not commonly known, but kagamimochi and issho mochi are the same thing! While it is […]

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another Otsukimi?

culture, Sweets / Wada Wagashi

Hello everyone, are you familiar with ‘Jūsanya’ (the Thirteenth Night)? The one that’s widely known is ‘Jūgoya’ (the Fifteenth Night), right? Jūgoya is also called ‘Chūshun no Meigetsu’ (the Harvest Moon), and there’s a tradition of moon viewing called ‘Tsukimi,’ where people enjoy delicious rice dumplings while admiring the full autumn moon. In fact, besides Jūgoya, there is a unique Japanese tradition called ‘Jūsanya.’ That’s what I’m here to tell you about this time. what is Jūsanya? Jūsanya refers to the night of the 13th to 14th of the old lunar calendar. While Jūgoya is a custom that originated in China, Jūsanya began in Japan. On Jūgoya, people pray to

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halloween workshop #2

Workshop / Wada Wagashi

Hello everyone, It has already been a year since I held my first wagashi workshop! My first one took place last October, where we made Halloween sweets. Now a year later, I just held a mini wagashi workshop on October 6, also themed around Halloween, but this time featuring a slightly different design of a jack-o’-lantern. I taught wagashi in a mini wagashi workshop as part of an international exchange community event. Looking back at my blog from last year, I remember that there were 8 participants at that time, but this time over 40 people joined! This is the largest number of participants I’ve ever had in one of

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What is anko?

ingredients / Wada Wagashi

Hello, everyone! Are you a fan of smooth red bean paste (koshian) or chunky red bean paste (tsubuan)? Some people love the smooth texture of koshian, while others prefer the rich flavor and texture of tsubuan. Personally, I enjoy both, as each type pairs best with different sweets. In discussing wagashi (Japanese sweets), anko (bean paste) is essential—it’s the foundation and soul of these treats. For wagashi artisans, the quality of anko can significantly influence the final product. Today, let’s delve into the world of anko! Definition of Anko Anko is one of Japan’s traditional sweets and is primarily made from beans. While adzuki beans are the most common, other

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the origins of wagashi

history / Wada Wagashi

Hello everyone! Have you been enjoying wagashi? Wagashi, traditional Japanese confectioneries, has a rich history. What were its origins, and how has it developed over time? In this post, I’d like to give you a brief history of wagashi. The formation of wagashi is deeply tied to Japan’s history and culture. The country’s natural environment, seasonal changes, rituals, and religious events have significantly influenced the development of wagashi. Its history dates back to ancient times, evolving in form, taste, and ingredients over the years to become what it is today. Originally, Nuts? Ancient Times (Jomon and Yayoi Periods) The prototype of wagashi began with the consumption of natural foods like

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Ohagi

Leave a Comment / culture, Sweets / Wada Wagashi

Hello! Even though it’s officially autumn on the calendar, we’re still experiencing some hot days. As the saying goes, “The heat and cold last until Higan.” I’m hopeful that temperatures will start to drop soon. Right now, Japan is in the season of Higan. Higan occurs twice a year, in spring and autumn, encompassing three days before and after the equinoxes. During this time, it’s customary to honor our ancestors, often by visiting graves or offering food at family altars. A traditional sweet enjoyed during Higan is called “ohagi.” Today, I’d like to talk about ohagi. What is ohagi? Ohagi is made from a mixture of mochi rice and regular

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Otsukimi

1 Comment / culture, Sweets / Wada Wagashi

In Japan, the tradition of offering dumplings, rice cakes, pampas grass, and taro to the moon while gazing at it is called “Otsukimi,” or moon viewing. The tradition of “Otsukimi” is believed to have been introduced from China during the Heian period. Initially, it was a sophisticated event where nobles enjoyed the full moon while sharing sake. By the Edo period, this custom spread to the common people, who began to celebrate the autumn harvest and pray for a bountiful year ahead by offering dumplings shaped like the moon. Originally, the tradition in China was to pray for family happiness, but in Japan, it evolved into a celebration of a

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My first wagashi experience class

Leave a Comment / Workshop / Wada Wagashi

Hello! If this is your first time to Wada Wagashi, welcome! If you’ve been here before, welcome back! We recently held the first session of my new ‘Wagashi Experience’ class on June 23rd. The sweets we made this time were “Ao-ume” (green Japanese plum) and “Bara” (rose). The filling for ao-ume was plum-flavored white anko (sweet white bean paste), and for bara, it was koshi-an (smooth sweet red bean paste). Since green plums are in season right now, I decided to make plum anko using them. I started by making candied green plums. Homemade candied green plums are delicious. They’re not just sweet and sour; they also have a distinct

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