Mid-Winter Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya Red Plum Blossom with Frost Theme Namagashi Confection

A wagashi confection that was created in 1699 by Toraya is a beautiful and unmistakable expression of a mid-winter plum blossom. It is called Shimokobai 霜紅梅, or red plum blossom with frost. This confection, created centuries ago, expresses something that I can only clearly recall seeing once: fruit blossoms in snow. While it is mid-winter here in Kyoto, we are…
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Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya’s Year of the Tiger Namagashi

This is the Year of the Tiger and I got my tiger themed new year namagashi from Toraya again, same as last year. It is called Sachi Tora (幸とら), or Happy Tiger. Like last year’s ox, this delightful design is quite abstract and uses cinnamon to create both flavor and fragrance but moreover a novel visual effect. Eto: Twelve Chinese…
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Wagashi: ‘Sagano’ Chrysanthemum Theme Namagashi

Autumn is upon us in Kyoto and one of my favorite wagashi makers looks to the rural Western Hills of Kyoto’s Sagano district for inspiration for a delicate and handmade chrysanthemum shaped namagashi. Kyoto Autumn Theme Wagashi 嵯峨野生菓子 While I haven’t seen any chrysanthemums in bloom yet this year, mine are just budding, the theme of culinary delights in Kyoto…
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Wagashi: Firefly Theme Namagashi

Firefly Theme Namagashi 亀屋良長 蛍テーマ生菓子 Firefly Theme Namagashi 亀屋良長 蛍テーマ生菓子
This wagashi from a historic shinise store in Kyoto, Kameyama Yoshinaga, is reminiscent of fireflies on verdant green foliage of early summer.…
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Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya’s Year of the Ox Namagashi

Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya’s Year of the Ox Namagashi 京都とらや のどかな朝 Wagashi: Kyoto Toraya's Year of the Ox Namagashi 京都とらや のどかな朝
There is a blend of sophistication, beauty, simplicity and cuteness in namagashi, especially Kyoto namagashi, that is just unlike anything else in the foodie universe. In food and non-food related design, the traditional Japanese sense is something from another, bygone world, but still seems so essential even in…
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