After gobbling up the chimaki, there's a certain way to fold up the leaves and twine (to make it easier for the host to clear away).
#GoldenWeek #Kyoto #京都 #Japan #和菓子 #wagashi #chimaki #ちまき #teaceremony
Symbolising determination, the carp motif was based on the Chinese legend of a carp that swam upstream to become a dragon.
The black carp nowadays represents the father, red the mother, and blue the children (originally the eldest son was blue, each new son a different colour).
Illustration of carp streamers.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Illustration of carp streamers flying outside a traditional home.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of a mother carrying her son (who is holding on to a carp streamer).
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of carp streamers.
Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Kameya Shigehisa's (亀屋重久) owner and master confectioner kindly demonstrates how each chimaki is prepared.
The store is located across the road from Myōshin-ji's (妙心寺) north gate.
➡️https://www.kameya-shigehisa.com/
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Iris leaves, thanks to their shape, have long been associated with swords...both protecting against & cutting through misfortune.
The word for iris, 'shōbu' (菖蒲), is also a homonym for 'warlike spirit' (尚武), and from Kamakura times the flowers came to symbolise the warrior.
Around May 5th people bath in water strewn with iris leaves. It was believed this offered protection from ill health and bad luck.
Part of our Children's Day set features tiny bundles of iris leaves.
Miniature armor for our samurai doll.
Iris leaves illuminated by the sun at Ota Pond.
Kameya Shigehisa's (亀屋重久) owner and master confectioner kindly demonstrates how each chimaki is prepared.
The store is located across the road from Myōshin-ji's (妙心寺) north gate.
➡️https://www.kameya-shigehisa.com/
There are two sweets, both wrapped in leaves, that are absolutely essential for "Children's Day": kashiwa mochi (かしわ餅/柏餅) and chimaki (ちまき/粽).
🎏=🐟➡️🌊✨🐉☁️
Kashiwa mochi, a rice cake wrapped in an 'oak' leaf, is popularly eaten around Children's Day.
Enjoying matcha and a chimaki before our small Children's Day display.
Koinobori 'swimming' in the wind.
Conical shaped chimaki, a sweet typically eaten for Children's Day.