For more than 30 years, the Bainbridge Island Mochi Tsuki celebration has been an important traditional event to bring good fortune in the New Year. Once again, we invite the public to participate in making mochi the traditional way–steaming sweet rice over an open fire, followed by pounding the rice by hand with traditional, handcrafted cherry wood mallets (kine) in a granite bowl (usu). Visitors can get in on the action by trying their hands at pounding the mochi, forming it into cakes by hand, and eating it while it’s still warm and sticky! This event is enjoyed by adults and children alike.
All activities are free to the public, donations are welcome!
Mochi-pounding
- Form-your-own mochi cakes
- Origami folding lessons
- Obon dance lessons and public participation
- Performances by Seattle Kokon Taiko
- Meet-the-Artist session with the creators of the award-winning Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Departure Deck public art installation
Details
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024
Location: Woodward Middle School, 9125 Sportsman Club Rd., Bainbridge Island
Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Seattle Kokon Taiko
There will be two shows, noon and 2 p.m. Each show has a maximum capacity of 700 attendees, so grab a free ticket as you arrive at the main entrance to Mochi Tsuki to ensure your seat. Seattle Kokon Taiko will perform in the gymnasium.
Obon Dance
Bon Odori (盆踊り), meaning simply “Bon dance”, is a style of folk dancing performed during Obon, a festival to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. Lessons will be conducted outdoors under shelter from 1-1:30 p.m.
Image sourced from event website.
