2012 Kagami Biraki ~ Mochitsuki 3

Every January, Tohkon Judo Academy, along with The JASC & other community groups, celebrate Kagami Biraki, a traditional Japanese ceremony which is regarded as the first important event of the New Year.

Our celebration begins the night before with volunteers, lead by Veteran Mochi Master Michael Tanimura, soaking glutinous rice overnight so it is ready to be cooked the morning of.

Early on the morning of the celebration, the rice is steamed to a consistency ideal for pounding by others anxiously awaiting to begin the traditional mochitsuki.

The cooked rice is pounded with wooden mallets (kine) in a traditional stone mortar (usu). Two to four people will alternate the work, pounding, turning and wetting the mochi. They must keep a steady rhythm or they may accidentally injure one another with the heavy kine.

The sticky mass is then formed into various shapes (usually a sphere), and filled with an (sweet red bean paste). This year, Hershey's Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups & fresh strawberries were introduced as fillings

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Sports

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• judo
• tohkon
• chicago
• kagami biraki
• mochitsuki