Mochi tsuki もちつき

A couple of days before new year, Bridget, Liz and I attended the local Mochi Tsuki at a small temple in the Kurodani temple precinct. Mochi is made by pounding steamed glutinous rice into a , pliable chewy dough which is then shaped into rounds. The sake laced occasion is a fun, bonding ritual for local communities. And as you will see, even the kids get involved - well not with the sake bit....  

As tradition, mochi are prepared for the New Year - for a variety of reasons - mainly as an addition to a stewy soup called Ozoni which is eaten on New Year's Day (although wonderfully warming and satisfying on any chilly day  - and there are many regional varieties) and for placing in tokonoma ( spiritual alters) as a New Year's offering (in that case there is usually one large round mochi topped with a slightly smaller version). 

At this particular event we foreigners were welcomed with open arms, and a little curiosity. We all took along a dish or something to add to the continually changing "buffet" and were fed all sorts of snacks, sushi, salads, even italian from a local restaurant when the chef turned up - and plied with some very fine sake ...

Okaasan setting the pace with her two kids - her arms like a giant piano metronome!

"No, no, that's not how its done - you watch me!!!"

Caught with her hand in the popcorn bucket!

Bridget and Liz giving it a bash!

Shaping the mochi which are lightly dried out before grilling after which they puff up to become slightly crisp on the outside and molten in the centre. 

Its a little messy at times....

Enjoying the nibbles... mochi with a choice of soy for drizzling over or a black sugar syrup and kinako ( roasted soy bean powder) 

Master steamer! You may note some of the mochi above are yellow - they are coloured so with the plant below. There were also green - coloured with yomogi ( mugwort leaves) and pink - coloured with small dried ebi or prawns. 

Inside one of the temple rooms these dolls represented the grandmother and grandfather of the residing monk's family.  I am a little curious as to why the grandfather was left peeking out from behind the vase.... perhaps it was just my camera angle...

But it did seem as though the grandmother had a strong presence...

The day really was a hoot - I felt most privileged to be involved. And when the day became a little cooler some retired from the deck to the inner sanctum  ...

That was when it was time for us to go - that and me being patted on the bum by an amorous, sake-soaked Osaakan... And what an exit - check out the afternoon glow

Kyoto tower in the background

A clearly religious experience....