Characteristics

Wagashi as the harbinger of seasons

There are seasonal “Wagashi”. At shops, you can see that they come and go as seasons pass by.

• Spring: “Sakura-mochi”, “Hanami-dango”, “Kashiwa-mochi”, “Chimaki”.
• Summer: “Waka-ayu”, “Minazuki”, “Mizu-yokan”, “Kuzu-sakura”.
• Fall: “Tsukimi-dango”, “Kuri-mushi-yokan”, “Kuri-kanoko”
• Winter: “Yuzu-gashi”, “Inoko-mochi”, “Chitose-ame”.
• New Year: “Hanabira-mochi”, “Kagami-mochi”, “Eto-gashi”.

Seasonal Wagashis often illuminate cultural events: Hanabira-mochi for the new year, “Kusa-mochi” for girls’ festival in March, Kashiwa-mochi for boys’ festival in May, “Ohagi” and “Botamochi” for equinoctial weeks, and Tsukimi-dango for “Tsukimi” moon viewing in September (*See “Kisetsu-gashi” section for more information).
In Japan, Wagashi has been a harbinger of the new season.

Wagashi reflects the beauties of changing nature

Japan is known for its nature’s distinctive seasonal changes. To feel the sublimity of the nature, Wagashi often signifies four seasons by representing the Japanese cultural symbols of each season.

• Spring: Japanese apricot flower, Cherry blossom, Azalea, Camellia.
• Summer: Green (unripe) Japanese apricot, Morning glory, Hydrangea, Sunflower.
• Fall: Ginkgo nut, Persimmon, Chestnut, Chrysanthemum.
• Winter: Snow, Ice, Crane, Rabbit.
• New Year: Pinetree/Bamboo/Plum (a set of three plants is a symbol of auspicious events), Pheasant’s eye, Young green plants.

Wagashi, while maintaining the same taste, changes its beautiful appearance and its name, to reflect different seasons.
Being as small as bite-size, Wagashi awakens our sense of seasons and changes our daily life suitable for a season.

Know the name of Wagashi and the story behind it

In addition to names of sweets to refer types like “Yokan” and “Manju,” Wagashis have names that etymologically come from plants, sceneries, historic places, and poems. The custom to name Wagashi began during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Understanding the etymology of names at Japanese tea ceremony used be considered as evidence of his cultural savviness. Nancho-Houki (educational book for men), published in the Edo period, contains more than 2.5 million names of Wagashi.
One of Wagashi’s attractions is like reading literature: to interpret and understand images Wagashi artisans had in making the confections. Know the name, and imagine a cultural meaning implied by the name. It is one way to enjoy Wagashi.

References:
Aoki, Naomi et al. Nihon no Tashinami-cho. Jiyukokuminsha, 2015.
NHK Bi no Tsubo Wagashi. Nipponhosokyokai, 2007.
Wagashi. Tokyo Wagashi Association.