On Sunday, we were on our way to Genkoan (more on that next post!) and we stumbled onto a little mochi-tsuki (mochi making) festival in our local playground. The nice people there were pounding mochi the old fashioned way.
See the mochi-to-be steaming in this wooden bowl?
One person hammers it, and in between pounds, the other guy whips a little water from the bucket onto his hand and twirls the lump of rice around.
Alek and Hugo both got a turn.
I tried it, too, but the water twirler almost lost a finger, so I stopped. I think they were pretty happy about that. I don't have rhythm. When it's done, as you know, you rip off chunks and roll it around in kinako powder. Women's work.
They handed our family about 6 big pieces. 
Some of the friendly ladies who helped...
And a few yards away, they were baking sweet potatoes in this barrel. The top barrel is filled with hot stones, and the potatoes are nestled in there. Fire and rocks--that's what makes it men's work.
Here's Max and me with our sweet potatoes wrapped in newspaper. Max is pulling a Calvin face.
So, that was fun....
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