Editing Mochi (section)

== History ==
[[Red rice]] was the original variant used in the production of mochi.<ref name ="irohajiten">[https://web.archive.org/web/20210113233844/http://iroha-japan.net/iroha/B02_food/02_mochi.html Mochi.] Nihon-Bunka Iroha Jiten.</ref>
The cultural significance of mochi in Japan is unique, though it has elements in common with other auspicious foods in other Asian countries.<ref name="kotobamochi">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201020025207/https://kotobank.jp/word/%E9%A4%85-142450 Kotobank Mochi.] [[The Asahi Shimbun]].</ref> According to archaeological research, the homemade production of mochi increased beginning in the 6th century ([[Kofun period]]), when earthenware steamers became popular in every household, mainly in eastern Japan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Otsuka |first=Hatushige |date=2003 |title=Japanese archipelago in the Kofun period |publisher=Aoki Shoten |isbn=978-4250203305}}</ref>{{rp|267}}

In the {{transliteration|ja|[[Fudoki|Bungo no kuni fudoki]]}}, compiled in the late 8th century in the [[Nara period]], a legend concerning mochi was described. According to the book, when a rich man made a flat mochi from leftover rice and shot an arrow at it, the mochi transformed into a white bird and flew away, and after that, the man's rice field became desolate and barren. This legend shows that round white mochi was historically held to have spiritual power.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210104035443/http://www.omochi100.jp/kaibou/ History of mochi.] Zenkoku Mochi Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai</ref>

In the [[Heian period]] (794–1185), mochi was often used in [[Shinto]] events to celebrate childbirth and marriage. According to the {{transliteration|ja|[[Ōkagami]]}} compiled in the 12th century, emperors and nobilities used to put mochi into the mouths of babies that were 50 days old.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inaga |first=Keiji |year=1996 |script-title=ja:新訂総合国語便覧 |publisher=Daiichi Gakushusha |language=ja |isbn=978-4-8040-3301-3}}</ref>{{rp|30}} In this period, it became customary in aristocratic society for the bride and groom to eat mochi together at the bride's house three days after the wedding.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201105065951/https://kotobank.jp/word/%E4%B8%89%E6%97%A5%E5%A4%9C%E9%A4%85-1597038 Kotobank Mikayonomochii.] The Asahi Shimbun.</ref>

The first recorded accounts of mochi being used as a part of New Year's festivities are from the Heian period. The nobles of the [[Heian-kyō|Imperial court]] believed that long strands of freshly made mochi symbolized long life and well-being, while dried mochi helped strengthen one's teeth. Accounts of it can also be found in ''[[The Tale of Genji]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Itoh|first=Makiko|title=Rice takes prized, symbolic yearend form|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/12/30/life/rice-takes-prized-symbolic-yearend-form/#.Vujgd8dlnUp|journal=The Japan Times Online|access-date=February 16, 2016|date=December 30, 2011|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411072422/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/12/30/life/rice-takes-prized-symbolic-yearend-form/#.Vujgd8dlnUp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The custom of {{transliteration|ja|[[kagami mochi]]}} (mirror mochi) began among the [[samurai]] class during the [[Muromachi period]]. {{transliteration|ja|Kagami mochi}} are composed of two spheres of mochi stacked on top of one another, topped with a bitter orange ({{transliteration|ja|[[daidai]]}}). In welcoming the New Year, samurai decorated {{transliteration|ja|kagami mochi}} with [[Japanese armor]] and [[Japanese swords]] and would place them in the {{transliteration|ja|[[tokonoma]]}} (alcove in a traditional Japanese room where art or flowers are displayed) to pray for the prosperity of their families in the New Year. When people ate {{transliteration|ja|kagami mochi}} after the New Year period, they avoided cutting it with a {{transliteration|ja|[[Japanese kitchen knife|hōchō]]}} (knife) so as not to violate the {{transliteration|ja|[[kami]]}}, and smashed it with a wooden hammer after it naturally dried and cracked.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201225102832/https://www.gishi.co.jp/home/faq_03a.asp Kagami mochi FAQ.] Maeharaseifun Corporation.</ref>

Mochi continues to be one of the traditional foods eaten around [[Japanese New Year]] and is sold and consumed in abundance around this time. A {{transliteration|ja|kagami mochi}} is placed on family altars ({{transliteration|ja|[[kamidana]]}}) on December 28 each year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caile|first=Christopher|title=Kagami Biraki: Renewing the Spirit|url=http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=156|website=Fighting Arts|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref>