Nikkei Mochitsuki celebrates a year-end Japanese tradition, December 29
Taiko drums and dance add to the festivities at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre
Mochi pounding and making demonstrations at the fest. Photos by Adam PW Smith
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre presents Nikkei Mochitsuki on December 29 from 11 am to 3 pm
FIRST, A FEW definitions: mochi, as many Vancouver food lovers know, is a delicious pounded rice cake. Mochitsuki is the traditional rice cake–making that happens at the end of every year to preserve the just-harvested rice for the winter. The tradition dates back to somewhere around the Yayoi period of 300 BC to 300 AD. And Oshogatsu is New Year’s Day, celebrated January 1—a huge deal in Japan.
Vancouverites can get a look at—and taste!—the tradition at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre on December 29, when the annual Nikkei Mochitsuki festival features mochi-pounding demonstrations. The physical feat includes large mallets and one of the biggest mortars you’ve ever seen. There will also be fresh and frozen mochi for sale, and food and drink vendors such as Tatchan Noodle, Japadog, and Kanadell Japanese Bakery.
Performances during the day include the thundering beats of Chibi Taiko and Vancouver Okinawa Taiko, as well as Satsuki-Kai Dance.
And a word about eating your mochi at the fest: condiments, including soy sauce, grated daikon radish, and kinako with sugar, will be available in the Hayashi Hall, where tables and chairs will be set up. We suggest you come with an empty stomach. 
Chibi Taiko at Nikkei Mochitsuki. Photo by Adam PW Smith
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