Article by: Ayesha

une 16th is "Japanese Sweets Day".

June 16th is "Japanese Sweets Day". It was established by the National Japanese Confectionery Association in 1979. Its origin is old and dates back to the Heian period.

On June 16, 848 (old lunar calendar), because the plague was prevalent at that time, Emperor Ninmyo at that time offered sweets and rice cakes to the gods based on the oracle, prayed for warding off evil and good health, and changed its name to "Kasho." .

Japanese sweets that you can feel the season, such as sakuramochi in spring and cool mizu-yokan in summer. "Minazuki" is a Japanese sweet that you can often eat in June. Minazuki is a triangular cut with red beans on top of Uiro. In Kyoto and elsewhere, on June 30, which is the turnaround of the year, "Nagoshi no Harae" is held to expel the previous bad luck and pray for good health for the next six months, and it is said that it will be used at that time.

Healthy Japanese sweets with a sense of season and beautiful appearance are attracting attention overseas as "WAGASHI". Many long-established Japanese confectionery brands have advanced and processed agar, which is seaweed, so it seems to be gaining popularity as a gluten-free vegan food in the United States.

In addition, there are EC companies that provide a subscription service that delivers boxes of Japanese tea as well as senbei, manju, konpeito, taiyaki, etc. every month, and WAGASHI's awareness and demand are increasing.