Minatsuki are typically eaten on Nagoshi-no-Harae. The triangular sweets are meant to conjure up images of cooling ice.

Minatsuki are typically eaten on Nagoshi-no-Harae. The triangular sweets are meant to conjure up images of cooling ice.

Minatsuki are typically eaten on Nagoshi-no-Harae. The triangular sweets are meant to conjure up images of cooling ice.

Minatsuki are typically eaten on Nagoshi-no-Harae. The triangular sweets are meant to conjure up images of cooling ice.

It's customary to eat minatsuki (水無月) on this day.

The sweets, which were designed to mimic slices of ice, are made from 'uirō-mochi' (外郎餠), and are traditionally topped with a layer of red beans.

#minatsuki #minazuki #水無月 #wagashi #和菓子 #Kyoto #京都

Close up of a minatsuki...the colours and shapes have symbolic meaning.

Symbolism of minatsuki (水無月)...

⚪️🌨️White/clear uirō-mochi (外郎餠) = freshly fallen snow.

🫘🏥Azuki beans = red is an auspicious colour said to ward off evil (especially important in summer when disease spreads easily).

📐🧊Triangular shape = brings to mind ice and cools the body.

#minatsuki #水無月

A traditional triangular sweet known as minatsuki or mizazuki. Red beans cover a layer of soft mochi.

A traditional triangular sweet known as minatsuki or mizazuki. Red beans cover a layer of soft mochi.

A traditional triangular sweet known as minatsuki or mizazuki. Red beans cover a layer of soft mochi.

A traditional triangular sweet known as minatsuki or mizazuki. Red beans cover a layer of soft mochi.

Minatsuki and minazuki (水無月) are made from 'uirō-mochi' (外郎餠), a steamed cake of rice or bracken flour and sugar.
The sweets are traditionally topped with a layer of red beans, cut into triangles, and wrapped in bamboo leaves.

#Japan #Kyoto #京都 #水無月 #minatsuki #和菓子