The shape and specifications of the products may be subject to change.
柏餅
かしわもち 重五の節供のお菓子
Kashiwamochi (Oak Leaf Rice Cake)
Confection for the recurrence of May 5th
Valuing oak leaves which were considered important by the samurai class for the prosperity of their family lineage
The oak is a deciduous tree, but the leaves do not fall until new leaf buds have sprung up. For this reason, it has become the symbol of prosperity and fortune for the family and its posterity. In particular, it was considered an important tree by the samurai class, who longed for the prosperity of their family. Kashiwamochi is a confection made for the arrival of May 5th by wrapping in a large oak leaf a rice cake containing sweet red bean paste with steamed finely ground rice powder. The popularity of the Kashiwamochi in eastern Japan may be due to the tradition of local samurai families. Taneya’s Kashiwamochi come in three flavors: puréed sweet red bean, bean, and miso. The fragrance of the oak leaf infuses the confection, bringing out the “sense of the season”.
粽
ちまき 重五の節供のお菓子
Chimaki
Confection for the recurrence of May 5th
A refreshing bamboo leaf-flavored confection based on an episode which occured in China in ancient times
Kashiwamochi in the east, chimaki in the west. The latter spread as a confection to be consumed on the day of the Seasonal Festival of May 5th thanks to the influence of the aristocratic class. It is made by wrapping a sweet dough consisting of finely ground rice powder produced in Omi with kudzu in a refreshing and fragrant bamboo leaf, then steaming it. Taneya’s chimaki has two different flavors, white sugar and brown sugar. Chimaki originates from an episode that occurred long ago in China. Qu Yuan, a politician also famous as a poet, after admonishing the king, killed himself for not being listened to, throwing himself into the Miluo River on May 5th. On the anniversary of his death, people crying for Qu Yuan started throwing the chimaki into the river.
たねや氷室
たねやひむろ 賜氷節のお菓子
Taneya Himuro
Confection for the Shihyo ceremony on June 1st
Once, winter ice was stored in the himuro (ice house) until summer. The coolness of that ice now takes shape in this confection.
The himuro (ice house) was created during the Heian period to protect winter ice from the summer heat. The ice, preserved in this way until the summer, was very much appreciated; shaved and sprinkled with sweet honey, it was enjoyed as food. On June 1st according to the lunar calendar, as part of the Shihyo ceremony, ice was also gifted to vassals. In the past, there was a himuro at the foot of the Hira Mountains in Omi. Taneya’s himuro is an elaborate confection made by wrapping a miso-flavored domyoji (glutinous rice steamed rice cake) in a uiro dough, adding on the top a triangular yokan that looks like ice.
吉兆嘉祥
きっちょうかじょう 嘉祥のお菓子
Kiccho Kajo
Confection for Wagashi Day (Japanese Confectionary Day)
Perfect for “Wagashi Day”, which was set on the day that a white turtle was donated to the imperial court
June 16th is “Wagashi Day”. This is an episode that took place in the Heian period. On June 16th of the lunar calendar, the name of the imperial era was changed to Kasho to celebrate the discovery of a white turtle donated to the imperial court as a sign of good fortune. That day was designated as “Wagashi Day” after confections and rice cakes were offered to the shrines. At Taneya, we wrap the puréed sweet red bean paste into a rice cake and decorate it with Shiga habutae glutinous rice and rice mixed with ten varieties of grains and millet, making it looks like a turtle shell. A turtle design is also attached to the box containing the confections.
水無月
みなづき 夏越大祓のお菓子
Minazuki
Confection for Nagoshi no Oharae (great purification rite on the last day of June)
Eating these confections which resemble ice, praying for an end to epidemics and for good health
The last day of June, in the middle of the year, is the day of the Oharae (great purification rite). People purify themselves from the impurities accumulated in half a year, crossing the chi no wa (a big ring made out of grass) and praying for an end to epidemics and for good health. In ancient times, in June many people fell ill due to heat waves and epidemic diseases, so it is easy to understand why they prayed for good health. Even today, on this day, we eat minazuki – shaped like the ice crammed into the himuro ice houses – and bear the harsh summer of the past times. The azuki beans placed on the uiro dough are said to have the meaning of warding off evil. The triangular shape of minazuki represents a square block of ice divided into two parts. The first half is eaten “expressing gratitude for the half year spent in good health”, and the remaining half “praying for good health for the rest of the year”.
星あかり
ほしあかり 七夕のお菓子
Hoshiakari (Starlight)
Confection for Tanabata (Star Festival)
Inspired by Tanabata, this kudzu confection represents the night sky crossed by the Milky Way
The Milky Way separates the Cowherd (the star Altair) from the Weaver Girl (the star Vega). However, according to legend, on the night of the Tanabata magpies spread their wings and create a bridge, allowing them to cross it and meet. In its form, hoshiakari represents through the cold and transparent kudzu the flow of the Milky Way through the azuki beans and the peel of hyuganatsu (a citrus fruit) inside the kudzu, the stars. The taste, enriched by the fresh fragrance of the bamboo leaf in which the confection is wrapped, is perfect for this season. While looking up at the white Milky Way flowing in the night sky as you enjoy this refreshing confection, you will even forget the summer heat.
ぎおんさん
ぎおんさん 祇園祭のお菓子
Gionsan
Confection for Gion Festival
A fumanju (a type of bean-jam bun) with a fresh bamboo leaf fragrance, sold on the day of Yamahoko float parade at the Gion Festival
The Gion Festival is the symbol of Kyoto in the hot summer. The Gion Festival is said to have originated from the Goryoe ceremony, which took place in 869 (11th year of the Jogan era), when an epidemic broke out in the capital. During the ceremony, 66 spears – one for each kingdom existing at that time – were created to pray for the end of the disease. Gionsan are made by wrapping a light puréed sweet red bean paste with namafu (a breadlike piece of steamed gluten), then wrapping them again in a bamboo leaf. They are sold during the first part of the Festival. The scent of the bamboo leaf, which has a high bactericidal power, conveys the intensity of the prayer to get rid of desease.
土用餅
どようもち 土用のお菓子
Doyomochi (Rice Cake of the Dog Days)
Confection for the dog days of summer
A nutritious rice cake, easy to eat even during the dog days
The Japanese word doyo indicates a period of eighteen days preceding the onset of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Since ancient times, it has been said that we must take care of our health at the turn of the season. Especially in summer, the heat is intense and epidemics are likely to occur, so a balanced diet is important. Taneya’s doyomochi consists of a bite-sized plump rice cake covered with a red bean paste considered to be “a remedy for the heat of the dog days”. A smooth mouthfeel its strong point. It is a nourishing confection, suitable for restoring the body during the summer doyo period when the appetite wanes.
八朔福搗餅
はっさくふくづきもち 田の実の節のお菓子
Hassaku Fukuzukimochi
Confection for Ta no mi
A confection made with the first harvest of the year in hopes of a bountiful autumn harvest
August 1st of the lunar calendar (referred to as hassaku as well) is also called Ta no mi. In Japanese, Ta no mi sounds like tanomi (hope): for this reason, on this day it was customary to offer the first harvest to the kami (gods), hoping for an abundant harvest in autumn. Taneya’s Hassaku Fukuzukimochi is made by mixing and steaming coarsely ground glutinous rice with millet, then adding sugar and salt and pounding it. Finally, they are covered with fragrant soybean flour and sesame seeds. This confection, with its early harvest flavor, embodies the typical rural desire to obtain a bountiful harvest.
Confectionsfor All Seasons
