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Natto mochi

Natto mochi

The taste of tradition passed down in the birthplace of natto

About Natto mochi

There are various theories about the birthplace of natto in various parts of Japan, but Kyoto Prefecture is said to be one of them. Cloistered Emperor Kogon, who was practicing ascetic practice at Joshoko-ji Temple in the Keihoku district of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, was eating boiled beans wrapped in warazutto, which were presented by villagers, and began to draw threads every time they went through the day, which It's said that it started to be delicious. The picture scroll in the temple also shows how the chief priest behaves wara bract natto. It is said that it was called 'natto (to serve beans)' because it was served in Kyoto Imperial Palace as a delicacy over time. Therefore, in those days, the awareness of valuable food eaten on Hare Day, such as the New Year, took root among the common people.
The Keihoku area is also the birthplace of the Yamakuni Corps that fought in the Boshin War, and there is an anecdote that farmers brought natto in the event of their dispatch, and the name of Yamakuni natto, which is now a specialty of Keihoku district comes from here . In an era when food was unsatisfactory, 'natto mochi' (natto mochi), which was a valuable source of protein, wrapped in rich mochi, was also liked by farmers. At that time, 'natto mochi' was about as big as the face, and it is said that the third of New Year had eaten this mochi in the sun.
In addition to the Keihoku region, Hiyoshi-cho, and Miyama-cho, Nantan City, there is a custom of making 'natto mochi' (natto mochi), and each region has different ways and shapes.
It is eaten at festive occasions such as New Year holidays, and in the Keihoku region, there is a custom to eat 'natto mochi' and miso soup on New Year's holidays. Once upon the end of the year, the patriarch created the number of family members and ate it carefully.
There are two main ways to eat: natto and mochi, mixed with natto in mochi, and then grilled and eaten. The other way is to wrap natto in mochi, and then eat it by sprinkling it with rice cake. It is said that it is also preferred to bake 'natto mochi' which became hard and flavored and eaten.