Pop Japan

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain japonica glutinous rice that is pounded into paste before getting molded into your desired shape. It is traditionally made in a process called mochitsuki and is a traditional food served during the Japanese New Year. 

In this video, Insider features Mitsuo Nakatani—the fastest mochi maker in Japan who’s been pounding mochi for 23 years with an average of 3 hits per second.

The first mochitsuki ceremony occurred after the Kami or the gods are said to have descended to Earth, following the birth of rice cultivation in Yamato during the Yayoi period. Red rice was the original variation used in the production of mochi. At this time, mochi was eaten exclusively by the Emperor and nobles due to its status as an omen of good fortune.

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