NEW YEAR'S!!!

New Year’s!!!

So Yokohama and Tokyo for New Year’s again! Here we go!

I was leaving my apartment on the 30^th 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 31^st, 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 :)