SHIGETAKA KODAMA/ Staff Writer
December 7, 2024 at 14:02 JST
Hana-mochi New Year’s decorations in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, on Dec. 5 (Shigetaka Kodama)
TAKAYAMA, Gifu Prefecture--Production of hana-mochi traditional New Year’s decorations, a skill handed down over generations, is reaching its peak in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture.
Around 10 artisans at the Takayama Workshop of the Hida Hana-Mochi Association have been busy decorating tree branches with tiny red and white rice cakes, each about 1 centimeter wide, that look like flowers.
The tradition of using rice cakes as substitutes is said to stem from the fact that fresh flowers are in short supply in the snow-covered Hida region.
The workshop can whip up practically anything, from ornaments that stand 50 to 80 cm tall to ones measuring around 2 meters that are displayed in traditional ryokan inns and shops.
The work will continue until Dec. 25 or so and then the ornaments will be shipped to markets in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and elsewhere.
“It has finally become cold enough for the rice cakes to dry,” said artisan Sumie Nakano. “We can’t celebrate the New Year without them.”
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