TAIMATSU Kagami Mochi Kiri Mochi (Rice Cake) S 100g

Made in / Product of : Japan

• Traditional Decoration: The Kagami Mochi is a significant household decoration for the Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) period, typically displayed from late December until January 11th.
• Symbolism: It usually consists of two stacked round mochi cakes (one smaller on top of a larger one) and represents the past year and the coming year, the balance of yin and yang (moon and sun), or the continuation of the family across generations. The round shape resembles an ancient copper mirror (kagami), a sacred object in Shintoism, which is believed to reflect the spirit of the gods (kami).
• Offering to Deities: The decoration is placed in a household Shinto altar or alcove as an offering to the Toshigami, the New Year's gods, to welcome divine blessings and ensure good luck, health, and fortune for the coming year.
• Kagami Biraki Ritual: On January 11th, the Kagami Mochi is removed and broken into smaller pieces in a ritual called kagami biraki ("opening the mirror"). The mochi is traditionally broken with hands or a hammer (never cut with a knife, as cutting has negative connotations) and then eaten to invite divine blessings.