mochi making

For the first time, i participated in a mochi making gathering, which is usually held at the year end.

Headed to a friends place cold and shivering, but left with a happy song in my heart and warmed up because of the nice spirit in the air.

Thats the guys hitting the piping hot steamed rice brought out from the kitchen and thrown into the wooden tub.

yusho! yusho! they chant in rhythm to drum up their energy

the ladies were busy preparing for lunch

pickles to go with beer

the guys were busy hitting mochi, and reshaping the wood when needed

the kids were busy watching video

and after all the hard work

time to ganbai & tuck in~

the kids love the red bean mochi

well, along with the young ladies too =P

made seafood kimchi hotpot for dinner

added rice and cheese & egg lastly

ahh... energy recharged!

what an interesting day i had today! i have something to look forward each year now, for as long as we live in tokyo =)