New Year Celebration with Japanese community in Timor-Leste
2022/1/14
Group Photo
The Japanese community in Timor-Leste and the Embassy of Japan celebrate the New Year 2022 and the 20th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Timor-Leste.
KAGAMI-BIRAKI
KAGAMI-BIRAKI is a traditional Japanese ceremony, performed on auspicious occasions in which the cover of SAKE barrel is cracked open by wooden mallets. KAGAMI means “cover” and “BIRAKI” means “to open” so KAGAMI-BIRAKI means “opening the cover”. Because of the round shape of the cover, KAGAMI is a symbol of harmony. Therefore, KAGAMI-BIRAKI represents an “opening of harmony and good fortune”.
MOCHI-TSUKI
MOCHI-TSUKI is a traditional way to prepare “Mochi” (rice cake) by pounding steamed sweet rice with KINE (a large wooden mallet) in an USU (a large, sturdy vessel). Mochi is usually made for special celebrations such as the New Year. Mochi, like rice, do not have much flavor itself, and goes well with salty as well as sweet seasoning.