Pounding on New Year’s Day
Pounding on New Year’s Day
This year I got to spend my New Year doing the Japanese
Mochi-Tsuki rice pounding to welcome the
New Year . In
Japan
they usually do the pounding of the rice 2 days before the New Year. Then spend
the New Year day eating the rice cake they made after they pounded it.
Pounding the rice is supposed to bring good luck for you for
the coming year.
You get to wear what they call happy coats supposed to
ensure happiness for you as you get to pound the rice. Our Japanese intern woke
up very early to prepare the mochi. They are very similar to the Filipino
“palitaw” Rei our intern made a variety
of mochi some were sweet with sesame seed and red beans . Others were more of the main
course type salty with miso . But all were Oishi “delicious”
We had hotel guest there with children joining us in welcoming the New Year. It was soon fun
watching them pounding the rice away between the cheers and laughter.
I always deeply
appreciate Japanese Culture , Language and food. I never pass a chance of
partaking in such opportunities like this.
Well Happy New Year to all.
