9 June, Thursday - Jupiter day, moon in Virgo,
the 8th day of the 5th lunar month.
= Mochi-tsuki (mochi- sticky sweet rice, tsuki - pounding)=
Japanese love to eat Mochi (sweet rice cake).
During the festivals, some locals make Mochi,
and give these away for free to neighbours/ visitors.
Anyway, let me show you how to make Mochi in a traditional way!
First, steam sweet rice.
Then, put the steamed rice into a wooden bowl.
While the steamed sweet rice is still warm,
one pounds it with a wooden stick (mallet) repeatedly.
The other kneads the dough with wet hands.
After the dough has became smooth with an elastic texture,
pour it onto a board covered cornstarch.
Finally, the pounded Mochi dough is formed into each ball
to coat with red bean paste/ sesame seeds and the like.
Oh no thanks! I am allergic to the rice unfortunately!
