Mochi in our life

In our mochi class, we explain to our guests the history and traditions of mochi. In Japan, Unlike other sweets, Mochi is not just a snack to fulfill your craving for sweets or a dessert to eat after a meal, they carry deep symbolic meaning and accompany us through every stage of life, marking important milestones and celebrations

I personally realized this as my mother passed away this month, in her funeral  the makura-dango (枕だんご）was placed near her coffin. This is so she does not go hungry on her way to heaven. 

makura dango in my mother's funeral

It all starts when a child turns 1 year old We will celebrate with issho-mochi (一升餅）as the sound of issho is the same as a life time（一生）. The baby will carry the issho-mochi on their back hoping that they will live a long life. Issho is a unit for measuring rice, or rice wine holding 1.8 L. So you can imagine that the mochi is qute heavy (approx 2 kg or 4 lbs)

My son's Issho mochi celebration

 During obon months (July and August), when we believe the spirits of our ancestors will return, We will offer Ohagi or Botamochi to our ancestors., as well as okuri-dango (farewell dango) so they do not go hungry on the their journey back to the other world.

Ohagi or Botamochi (They are the same)

For birthdays, anniversaries, or the opening of a new business, mochi is presented as a lucky charm. We eat Kohaku-mochi (紅白餅）in celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. Kohaku means red and  white  which are  traditional colors of celebration—red for happiness, white for purity—symbolizing harmony and strong bonds that last.

Its round shape stands for harmony and long life, while its sticky texture symbolizes strong human connections and perseverance.

Photo from 一久大福堂（https://www.daifukudo.co.jp/en/）

Mochi accompanies the Japanese from birth to old age—from isshō mochi to makura dango in a funeral,

It is a symbol of life, prayer, and connection—a small yet powerful reflection of Japanese spirit and culture.