Quote of the day:  In many Japanese American households and communities, an annual custom is mochitsuki—the pounding of mochi or rice cakes, which is essential to the “Oshogatsu” or New Year’s celebration. Mochitsuki is an all-day event which requires many hands, long hours, and physical labor, but is also a time of fellowship and socializing with friends and family.” — Wikipedia

Mochi Pounding

Seiro – Wooden Steaming Frames for Rice

This is the 15th year that Akiko is hosting a New Year’s Mochi Pounding event at her place. The event is planned for December 29 this year. And preparations for mochi pounding have already begun. Ten days before the event (Dec. 19) a neighbor (Jim, who lives 6 months of the year in Minnesota and 6 months in Hawaii) brought over large plastic garbage cans and tubs to soak the seiro (wooden steaming trays). The wooden seiro need to be soaked well because the trays  sit over the fire to steam the rice. The moisure prevents them from burning.

Mochi Pounding

Examining Seiro before Placing it to soak

Jim and Akiko also examined the tools for pounding the rice—kine (large wooden mallets) and a long round pole (not sure what it is called). After Akiko picked one of the long wooden poles from last year that was the perfect size, Jim left to cut poles of a similar size and shape and prepare them for the mochi pounding. He also took the kine to prepare them.

Akiko is preparing for a large group of friends and family to arrive December 26 to help prepare food for the mochi pounding. Last year over 600 people attended. I am looking forward to next week’s activities here. As the preparation continues I’ll be photographing and telling the story of how the mochi is made.

Mochi Pounding

Placing Wooden Trays into Tubs to Soak

Mochi Pounding

Ready to Cover with Water

 

Mochi Pounding

Filling the Container with Water

Mochi Pounding

Placing Large Slab of Lava on Top to Hold Trays Under Water

Mochi Pounding

Akiko and Jim Examining Mochi Pounding Tools From Last Year

Mochi Pounding

Akiko Checking Kine (Wooden Pounding Mallets)

Mochi Pounding

A Closer Look at the Kine.

Mochi Pounding

This One Is Just Right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Marilyn

Photographer sharing beauty, grace & joy in photographs and blog posts. I live in the Twin Cites in Minnesota, the land of lakes, trees, and wonderful nature.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Marilyn Lamoreux Photography

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading