Japanese tradition Kagamimochi (mirror-shaped rice cake) for New Year's

Kagamimochi is an offering to "celebrate the New Year with God and wish for good luck in the year ahead".

Kagamimochi are the vessels for the New Year's god, the "New Year's God". The Kagamimochi is the place for the New Year's god to reside.

New Year's decorations such as sacred straw ropes and kadomatsu are used to welcome the New Year's gods who visit homes during the New Year, and kagamimochi are "yorishiro" for the gods to stay.

Kagamimochi serves more than just that. It has long been believed that the god of the new year divides his soul among us, along with the happiness and blessings of the new year. The Kagamimochi is a symbol of that spirit.

Kagamimochi is made up of two round rice cakes, one large and one small, stacked on top of the other, and many people have probably seen one with an orange on top. It is said to have already existed in the Heian period (794-1185), as it is mentioned in the Tale of Genji (Tale of Genji).

What is the meaning and origin of Kagamimochi?

Kagamimochi has the meaning of "praying for a good harvest of the year and celebrating new beginnings.

Mochi has long been considered "fine food" and a sacred food that is considered a source of good fortune. It is filled with wishes for a good harvest and good health.

Why are Kagamimochi rice cakes round?

There are various theories that have been handed down about the round shape of Kagamimochi, including that it also means "heart," that it takes the form of a sacred round mirror "kamikagami," which was enshrined in shrines, and that it signifies the shape of the sun, which is essential to rice farming life.

Why do we stack two Kagamimochi on top of each other?

The stacking of two kagamimochi, one large and one small, represents the moon (yin) and the sun (yang), which are said to bring good luck due to the overlapping of good fortune.

Kagamimochi is so called because of its resemblance to the shape of an old mirror. In the olden days, mirrors were made of bronze and round in shape, and were closely associated with the gods. They were considered sacred because they reflected light and shone like the sun.

It also has meanings such as "to grow old happily" and "to be in harmony with one's spouse".

Where should Kagamimochi be displayed?

Kagamimochi should be displayed in the tokonoma (alcove) or on the kamidana (altar).

Depending on the make of your house, you may not have an alcove or alcove for a Shinto altar. In such cases, there is a theory that it is better to display it in a room as far away from the entrance as possible. However, there are various theories depending on the region, and it is said that in some cases, it is better to decorate the entranceway.

Therefore, knowing the meaning and origin of Kagamimochi, it would be better to decorate it in your favorite place in the house with a sense of importance.

What is Kagamibiraki?

Kagamibiraki is an event in which the Kagamimochi (mirror-shaped rice cake) that has been offered is taken down and eaten. This event is meant to pray for the health and well-being of the family. Kagamibiraki is more than just an offering; it is believed to be the dwelling place of the New Year's god, and by eating the rice cake, which contains the power of the New Year's god, the family hopes for a year of good health.