The Mochi Mash

Karaoke Shenanigans

Another weekend in my winter wonderland has come to a close. Along with the usual boarding and karaoke shenanigans (and trying to stay as warm as possible, of course), I was able to witness and take part in a Japanese tradition that has been passed down for generations upon generations: もちのつき (Mochi no tsuki). Traditionally done in the winter months, the event is about friends and family coming together, having fun and, of course, making mochi!

Pre-Mochi Rice

I went to Shimizugashira, my elementary school, bright and early on Sunday morning (okay 9am is bright and early after a night of karaoke, right?). I made my way to the large gym at the back of the school, which was desperately trying to keep warm with the help of a few space heaters - it wasn't working. As everyone remained bundled up in their coats, we watched as the ceremony began. I knew that mochi was made from rice, but didn't realize that the rice was quite literally pounded until it becomes the familiar mochi-like substance. I also knew what to expect, after hearing about it and seeing pictures from last year's festival. I watched the live-action version play out before my eyes as the large wooden basin (called an "usu") was filled with the mochi-variety of rice by the obasan (Japanese for grandmother), the wooden mallet (called a "kine") was raised in the air by one of the men from the community, and then pounded down with full force onto the rice. A rhythm was created between the man and the obasan as he raised and brought down the mallet again and again, as the obasan, with lightening quick hands, dashes in to wet and turn the rice over before the mallet comes crashing down once again. This process is repeated until the rice has been pounded into the familiar mochi-like paste. Then mochi is then rolled out, cut, and prepared for eating. Sounds easy enough, right? But the process is quite tiring...to feed an entire gym of people, it took about two hours of pounding, rolling, and cutting to prepare all the mochi needed. Everyone joined in to help, parents and children alike, and when we weren't helping, we were playing traditional games, such as "ohajiki", a Japanese marble game.

This tradition of making mochi as a community is played out all throughout Japan; however, there is one twist unique to Takko-Machi's community. While half of the mochi made is prepared for eating, the other half is cut and given to the children to decorate trees that have been brought in for the celebration. The mochi is wrapped around the bare branches, which are also decorated with trinkets and ornaments of Buddha or wise sayings. The mochi on the trees are said to be representative of the blossoms that would normally be there, and it is also said that the practice will bring good luck and health to farmers. The trees are displayed throughout the schools as a reminder that with hard work brings good fortune, and in March, the now-hardened mochi will be removed, fried and eaten, in the interest of the Japanese "mo tai nai" (waste not, want not).

Red & white mochi:
Japan's colors for harmony,
good fortune,  etc

Now that the story has been told, I guess now would be a good time to mention that I don't like mochi. I'm sure many of you have tasted mochi before, and if there isn't a flavor added to it, it doesn't taste like anything (for this gathering, we dipped the mochi in ごまとあんこ (sesame and this bean paste that I REALLY don't like). But, despite the billowing snow that engulfed the school and gym in near white-out conditions and my aversion to mochi, it was warm and welcoming inside (even though the temperature inside nearly matching that of the outside). Students of mine of all ages were there, and it's always fun to spend time with them outside of the classroom. The hoikuen kids (kindergarten/nursery school) are always especially excited to see me; I suspect that they forget that I live in Takko until they see me walking around...it's a new revelation each and every time. Hugs from a kindergartener are probably some of the best you'll ever get, and I take advantage of them as much as possible. As you might suspect, Japan is a very "hands off" country, but those under the age of six don't necessarily pay heed to that.

___

I'm assuming that this information was already known to most of you, but it is official that I will be returning to the States come July-ish. My pre-destined predecessor has signed the contract and the required documents are being processed, meaning that my time is a little over halfway over and I have five months to cram in everything I need to do. Before any of this became valid, I had voiced that I only intended to stay one year. There were several things calling me back to the States, one of them being the rising anticipation of starting my "big girl" life, although it can be argued that moving to another country and living by myself for a year is "big girl" life. Anyway, I was mentally prepared to return home and figure out the next step. However, the moment I received the email that my predecessor had decided to accept the position, my wants and desires seemed to switch gears. I'm not ready to leave Takko or Japan...*sigh*.

This weekend is another full schedule of snowboarding! We'll be sticking to 229 Skiland again, but we're going to graduate soon to Appi or a nearby mountain. I'm not quite sure if I'm confident enough to battle the crowds and maneuver around people without crashing. I guess we'll see.

Falling, and then laughing after
proclaiming, "I didn't fall once this time!"

Snowboard Progress...Because you're all dying to know! I feel like I've definitely made leaps and bounds from where I was on the Heavenly trip with Patrick and his family. I've set a couple of goals for myself, one of which is to be able to do SOMEthing in the terrain park (that is, without being sent to the hospital). The other is to master going through trees. This second goal is a challenge because first and foremost, it requires speed and agility, two skills I'm still developing. Last weekend, however, Ben and I decided to go up this one trail that we had yet to explore, but when we discovered it was uphill, we abandoned that idea. The only problem was that the only way down was through some trees. I was feeling pretty brave that day, and decided to try it. I should mention now that the aforementioned trees were really just branches sticking out of the snow; had I crashed into one of them, there would have been damage done to the tree, but not to me. I managed to successfully bump, fall and slide through the "trees", avoiding them all the way. Whew!

What I've learned lately...All of you Californians have been enjoying some awesome winter weather lately, but in case you forgot what it's like to be in the bitter cold, it's very common for one to have a chronic runny nose. I'm not sure what it is about it (perhaps someone could WebMD it or something), but if you're out in the cold, you're almost guaranteed a runny nose. Like most of the Japanese that I learn, I learned the word for snot because it was simply everywhere, especially with my kindergarteners. Charming. It's はなみず, hanamizu, quite literally translated to "nose water". Pleasant, isn't it?

Coming Up...There are quite a few things in the mix! Next weekend (February) I will be dancing with my Japanese dance group in a happyokai here in town. My type of dance is called Nihon Buyo, in case y'all want to do some research on it beforehand, and it is traditionally performed by geisha. Yes, I will be a pseudo-geisha for the day. Is that impious? More on that next week, I guarantee.

Plans for the Yuki Matsuri, the second weekend in February, are all set and ready! We'll be taking a 9 hour (not a typo) ferry ride to Hokkaido and spending a couple days in Japan's supreme winter wonderland (Takko ain't got nothin' on this place). Yay!

There are also talks of trips up to Appi, the closest thing to an American-type of resort that I've seen. You may remember it from my weekend spent at the town dentist's house at the end of summer? Uncomfortably hot then, intolerably chilly now (that's a bit dramatic, but you get the idea).

Unrelated to anything in this entry, but it makes me smile

またねー！

Letters Written: 47  
**Although, I'll have to add here that I recently got some news that P's platoon no longer have phone privileges for the duration of BCT...I can complain about this until I'm blue in the face, but what is there to do? He has less than 2 weeks until he moves on to the next step, thank goodness! I'll just have to keep on writing...