Join in with members of the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC) to pound mochi and sample some different types of mochi  (sweet, colorful chichidango) at Yume Japanese Gardens on Jan. 4, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at 2130 N. Alvernon Way in Tucson.  Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers will be performing as well (1 to 1:30 p.m.)

“Mochi is Japanese rice cake made of a short-grain Japonica glutinous rice.  The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape.  In Japan, it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki.  While eaten year round, mochi is traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.

SAJCC will be demonstrating how mochi is made by pounding with a wooden mallet (kine) in a traditional mortar (usu).  Two or more persons alternate the work, one or two doing the pounding and the other turning and wetting the mochi.  Today, mochi making by most families is done with a mochi making machine,

Admission for this event – $9 adults, children  under 5 years will be free.  More info at www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org.  Contact M Craig for more information or if you want to volunteer to help cook and prepare the mochi, at morigami2@yahoo.com.