1.
rice cake pounding; mochi making
The traditional process of making mochi by pounding steamed glutinous rice with a large wooden mallet in a mortar. A festive activity associated with the New Year season.
A traditional New Year preparation activity. Steamed 餅米 (glutinous rice) is placed in an 臼 (mortar) and pounded with a 杵 (wooden mallet). One person pounds while another turns and wets the rice — this teamwork is called 合いの手.
Common collocations
Cultural note
Traditionally done around December 28 or 30 for New Year preparations. Pounding on the 29th is avoided because 29 can be read as 苦 (suffering). Community 餅つき events remain popular, especially for children.