New Year’s!!!
So Yokohama and Tokyo for
New Year’s again! Here we go!
I was leaving my apartment
on the 30th in the late afternoon. I had heard yells and screams
from my apartment and had no idea what they were for. I soon found out. So I
leave my place and the next building over has a few people in front of a pasta
house, a cardboard sheet lying on the ground, and a thick marble basin on a
wooden stand. There was water everywhere. Then something clicked! I asked if
this was for mochi smashing and they said yes. I was so excited!!!!
Mochi smashing (not sure
what the Japanese term is) is pounding steamed, glutinous rice in the marble
basin with mallets. Then you eat the hot, fresh, mochi with different toppings
or just plain. I asked if I could watch and they said yes. Thank god I brought
my camera :)
A few people could speak
some English so they asked me some questions like where am I from, what do I do
here, etc, etc. Everyone always exclaimed when they found out I’m an English
teacher! Literally gasps and echoes of “Eigo Sensei!” everywhere. It was pretty
funny. They invited me into the small restaurant and offered me drinks and
tried to get to know me. I was shown into the kitchen to see them steaming the
rice in a cheesecloth in a huge pot. They were so welcoming and friendly.
Everyone who could tried to speak English to make me feel comfortable. I stood
around a little awkwardly watching them all interact with each other but it was
nice.
Then the smashing! I was
pulled outside by the group leader/class clown! He was awesome! Got the crowd
all hyped up and excited, had them cheering loudly and clapping, and trying to
make English jokes to lots of laughs! He made sure I could see them pour the
sticky, glutinous rice into the basin and gave me some to taste. Yums! Then he
went beside the basin and the giant mallet was handed out. They wet the end
with water and the leader had a small bowl of water too. Then it started – the leader
wet it with water with his hand and the pounder (that’s what I’m calling him :) started smashing. Every time
he would wet the rice he would yell something and every time it was hit the
crowd would yell something back. I wish I could remember what they said. It was so cool watching it go from
individual grains of rice to a smooth sticky glob (looks and tastes better than
it sounds).
They offered the mallet to
me and I refused but they insisted! One guy showed me how to hold it and helped
my foot placement and I just smashed away – it was so fun!!! I got cheers and
chants and applause. Perfect for getting rid of any frustrations, too :) A few other people smashed
and the mochi was still steaming hot and delicious looking.
One guy that went after me
took the mallet and barely put any power behind it. Then a woman was like,
“Ehhh?” Everyone laughed and he was kinda embarrassed; awesome! But he tried a
little harder next time.
So after it was done, the
leader gave me some in my hand – soooo sticky and warm and soft. A lady came up
and fortunately took it from me and put it in a bowl of water. They broke up
the pieces and put them in a powder – Kinako. It’s soy flour and sugar. It was
delicious. Then someone handed me some dipped in soy sauce and wrapped in nori
(seaweed). Oh my god!!! Fresh, warm mochi that I made!!!! Soooo delicious and
satisfying! Then I went inside and had tea and talked with some of the others
more. There was a man who JUST got off the plane from Shanghai. He spoke
perfect English and was super friendly. He told me how everyone there was
either related or close-friends. How the leader/funny guy was like a second
father to his son. His son (maybe a year) was just being passed from willing
holder to willing holder. It was so great.
It was a really great
experience and am so happy I was able to join them for it. They took lots of
group pics at the end and even though I offered to take them they insisted I
join the group. After a very loud and friendly goodbye I left. I was so touched
that they were very welcoming and warm and let me join in on their family
event. It was perfect and one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in Japan so
far.
On the 31st, I
met my friend and her brother in Harajuku. We got some yummy food at the food
stalls (small, roasted potatoes with butter and kimchi, and karaage (fried
chicken). Really good street food. We walked around for a bit in Omote-Sando
(the swanky area we were unworthy to be in ;) then headed over to Meiji Shrine.
It’s one of the biggest in the area and expects about 3 million people in the
next couple of days. We waited in line for just over an hour until it struck
midnight. We were lost in a sea of people. Thousands upon thousands of people
around us! But of course, in Japan they know how to wrangle! After midnight hit
we were led, in droves, towards the shrine, stopping every few meters. Finally
we passed under the huge gate and made our way to the front of the shrine. They
had it barricaded but low enough to see the beautiful temple and to throw our
offering of money. After we gave the money, clapped twice, and bowed our heads
we headed out to buy some gifts (of course). We all bought a beautiful wooden
arrow with colourful bells and feathers. We also bought small cloth stuffed
bags that were blessed. They are
for good health. Sweet! After we got some food again and froze our
asses off.
Then we headed home. I was
told that trains ran all night. I even checked with the info office at my train
station – they were wrong. I caught one train to Shibuya but had to wait an
hour and 20 minutes for my next train. THEN I had to wait 40 minutes again for
my final train. I got home at 5:20 am. But I had a great night!!! So it was
worth it!
Thanks Japan :)
