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Kagamibiraki
In Japan, many traditional events are disappearing from year to year. One event, which is called Kagamibiraki, is one of the holidays that follow New Year’s. Kagamibiraki involves chopping a round rice cake, offering it to God and Buddha, and then consuming it. Everyone prays for things such as perfect state of health. Also, we usually use the rice cakes to make sweet adzuki bean soup or boiled vegetables. My mother made this soup on January 11th. Although there is no official date, usually it is done on January 11th.
Kagamibiraki comes from samurai social customs. The traditional way of separating the rice cake is to chop by hand or with a wooden hammer because cutting with a knife is associated with ritual suicide performed by samurai (hara-kiri). That is why the event did not use a knife and any words associated with cutting. Kagami means happy and Biraki (Hiraku) means becoming more and more prosperous.
Rice cakes are traditionally stacked 2 or 3 high. Recently, however individually wrapped rice cakes are often found inside its plastic mold that resembles 2 or 3 rice cakes. This is considered to be more convenient for decorating and better for our health.
I hope to maintain Kagamibiraki and other such events because it brings family members close together. Recently I think many children can not communicate well with their parents. My family is experiencing the same situation as my siblings and I become older. Traditional events offer a good chance for family members to communicate. Therefore, I hope to keep the event and others like it, so I can maintain good relationships with my family.
Kagamibiraki comes from samurai social customs. The traditional way of separating the rice cake is to chop by hand or with a wooden hammer because cutting with a knife is associated with ritual suicide performed by samurai (hara-kiri). That is why the event did not use a knife and any words associated with cutting. Kagami means happy and Biraki (Hiraku) means becoming more and more prosperous.
Rice cakes are traditionally stacked 2 or 3 high. Recently, however individually wrapped rice cakes are often found inside its plastic mold that resembles 2 or 3 rice cakes. This is considered to be more convenient for decorating and better for our health.
I hope to maintain Kagamibiraki and other such events because it brings family members close together. Recently I think many children can not communicate well with their parents. My family is experiencing the same situation as my siblings and I become older. Traditional events offer a good chance for family members to communicate. Therefore, I hope to keep the event and others like it, so I can maintain good relationships with my family.
- TAGS:
- new,
- traditional,
- event,
- cake,
- japanese,
- year,
- rice
- GROUPS:
- CNN International,
- Creative
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