F I R S TP R E V288NEXTLAST

Mini Series Day 2 of 5, Mochi & Sake Ceremonies
One of the traditions associated with the Sakura Matsuri, or Cherry Blossom Festival, is mochi pounding. Mochi is a traditional Japanese dish made from sweet rice that is steamed and pounded into a sticky paste. Pounding mochi brings the community together to socialize and have fun. The Shinto religion holds that one grain of rice equals one soul and when it is pounded it symbolizes the unity of millions of souls. After the mochi pounding, a cask of iwai-zake, 'celebration sake', was broken open by the festival's directors using ceremonial mallets and then was offered to the crowd to spread good fortune. I am sure to have a good year as I was splattered with sake after taking this photo.
[ MAP G-12 ]