Making own rice cakes

Before New Years Day comes,
people prepare for Mochi.

Mochi
is a sticky rice cake.

People used to be making their own.
But now,
most people buy at shops.

HOWEVER,
country side like Tango has traditional customs still.

Last year,
we were invited to mochi making by our local friends.

Here is a procedure of making mochi.

1. Steam glutinous rice.

2. Put the rice in a big wooden bowl called "Usu"
and
mush the rice with a big hummer called "Kine"




3. Once the rice mushed well, we start hit the rice like this;
v
v
v

4. When the rice was totally mushed, move them to a wooden tray.


5. And make small balls immediately like this;
v
v

We eat mochi on New Years Day with soup.
Also,
we make a big one and display it for celebration.

T.Gray-