Allison Grossman photographs the spiritual and cultural mochitsuki ceremony, where mochi, a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice, is pounded into paste and molded into shape.
As Carolyn Carreno explains:
According to Shinto belief, construction mochi invites the kami, or gods and spirits, to visit. The mochi themselves are thought to contain the presence of the kami; they also represent perfection and purity and are believed to imbue the eater through these qualities.
Allison Grossman visits the Chino family, on their 50-acre plot just north of San Diegoto, to experience firsthand the mochi ceremony.
1. The fan used to cool along the mochi.
2. Smoothing out the new crop rice preceding it is steamed and made into mochi, this labor of love, spirit, and and soul starts soon after sunrise.
3. Pouring the steamed rice to exist pounded, the ceremony has begun. It truly takes a village.
4. Perfecting the pounding of the adhesive rice.
5. Once the rice is sufficiently pounded, it’s taken to the table before being torn into smaller rice balls.
6. Mochi sitting pretty. Shintos believe that mochi invites and contains the kami–Japanese for gods.
7.Although mochi is the main lot of the show, sushi and sashimi are eaten plentifully for the time of the ceremony.
8. These tsukemono–Japanese pickles–are made from Chinos’ renewed vegetables.
9. Up and close.
10. Onigiri–sticky rice enveloped in seaweed.
11. The final phase of the ceremony begins by adding yomogi (mugwort) to the rice. The hunched posterior portion exemplifies the hard toil put into executing this ceremony well.
12. Filled and filed mochi.
13. After a hard light of day’s work, a much-needed drink is sought and carefully inspected.
14. The glorious farm prepares for rest one time guests have left. Next year is just encircling the corner.
Community Connection
Check out more of Allison Grossman’s other photos essays: Images on Istanbul and Window on India.
Have you visited a mochi ceremony? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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