Wagashi in August

August (Hazuki)
The 18-day period of Doyo/土用 before Risshū/立秋 (the beginning of autumn) overlaps with the end of the rainy season, a time when contagious illnesses are common. It also coincides with Taisho/大暑—the "Great Heat"—in the 24 solar terms, bringing continued extreme heat day after day.
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To endure this harsh period, it has long been customary in Japan to eat nourishing foods during Doyo to restore strength, with grilled eel (unagi) on the Day of the Ox (Doyo no Ushi) being the most well-known example.

One traditional treat is Doyō Mochi—rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). Made with azuki beans and mochi, which are believed to ward off evil and misfortune, these confections were eaten to protect the body and spirit from the exhausting heat.

Image from Toraya's Official Website

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Obon (Urabone) is a Buddhist event held in the seventh month of the lunar calendar to welcome and later send off the spirits of ancestors.
Today, it is most commonly observed in August, which corresponds to the seventh lunar month, although some regions still celebrate it in July. During Obon, offerings such as traditional dry sweets (干菓子) and dango （団子）are prepared.

Obon Rakugan（Dried Sweets)

The dango offered on the first day of Obon (the 13th day) to welcome the ancestral spirits are called "mukae dango" (welcoming dango). These are typically served with sweet red bean paste or a sweet soy glaze, meant to comfort the spirits after their long journey back to this world.

In contrast, the dumplings offered on the last day of Obon (the 16th day) to send the spirits off are called "okuri dango" (farewell dango). These are usually plain white dango with nothing added, symbolizing a simple parting gift for the spirits to take back with them to the other world.

During the middle of Obon, on the 14th and 15th, people often offer sweets known as "omotenashi dango" (hospitality dango) or "ochitsuki dango" (settling dango). Ohagi—sweet rice cakes covered in red bean paste—are commonly used as offerings during this time, expressing the wish for the spirits to rest and stay peacefully during their visit.
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These offerings reflect the deep respect Japanese people have for their ancestors and their sincere desire to honor and care for them, even through the simplest of gestures.

Okuridango

At Simply Oishii Wagashi School, we will be teaching summer motifs during this month. Typical summer motifs for nerikiri wagashi is Sunflower, Fireworks, Fan, Ayu fish, Goldfish, Morning Glory and water balloons. 

If you would like to try making these delicate sweets, you can make a booking here in our booking platform