The story of Mochi
In Japan, there’s a unique festival where people have a friendly competition with food. They try to get the most mochi, a type of rice cake, and it’s all in good fun. This festival is a way for them to find happiness and feel successful.
Japan is known for its rich and varied culture. Imagine two sides of Japan. One side is modern and quirky. You might see people dressed as maids under bright city lights in a place called Akihabara. There, even a singing squid might ask you to eat it with extra wasabi, a spicy green paste.
The other side shows traditional Japan. Picture a single cherry blossom, or Sakura, floating in a calm pond. Around it, women in beautiful kimonos, traditional Japanese dresses, gather. This peaceful scene is a part of the Mochi Nage Matsuri.
The Mochi Nage Matsuri is a festival that happens every spring at many Shinto temples across Japan. Shinto is a religion in Japan. This festival is a special part of Japanese culture, but not many people outside Japan know about it. It shows both the modern and traditional sides of Japan.
A Story of Love and Mochi in Japan
The simple premise of this event is summed up nicely in its title Mochi Nage Matsuri, which translates loosely as ‘Mochi Throw Festival’. People of all ages from around the community will gather at the local shrine for a ceremony to bless the fertility and harvest of the following year.
In Japan, there’s a special festival that starts with a priest blessing a piece of land. Two boys dressed as a cow walk over it. Then, the quiet moment changes into a wild scene. People pull out bags and baskets, looking up. They’re waiting for mochi, a type of rice cake, to be thrown from high above.
People believe that catching these mochi will bring them joy and wealth in the future. But, these mochi can be dangerous. Every year, about ten older people choke on them because they’re so sticky. Despite this, older people still join in, running around to catch as many mochi as they can.
If you’re new to this festival, you might get pushed aside by experienced players. They’re all trying to catch their first mochi. If someone loses their temper, they might get hit by a falling mochi or even an old lady’s fist!
The energy at this festival is amazing. People of all ages run around, trying to catch mochi. The festival only lasts a few days, but it brings the whole town together. They all share a love for this competition. When the mochi are all gone and the dust settles, the excitement fades away. Friends compare their injuries, and the winners show off their mochi.
The festival can be overwhelming, like getting hit in the face with a rice cake. But, the sight of a temple showered in mochi is unforgettable. Everyone who survives the festival wears their injuries with pride.
