Preparations for New Year's Wagashi sales are entering full swing across Japan, with traditional confectionery artisans showcasing their creativity and cultural craftsmanship to celebrate the upcoming year of the Snake.
Among the distinguished shops leading the charge is O-Kame-do, a renowned Wagashi establishment located in Toyohashi. On December 26, the shop unveiled its special New Year sweets, featuring the charming motif of the white snake, celebrated as a symbol of good fortune. These delicacies are adorned with beautiful turquoise jewels, creating visually stunning confections aimed at invoking prosperity for the new year. "The white snake, holding beautiful turquoise jewels, embodies good fortune for the New Year," noted representatives from O-Kame-do, expressing their hopes of bringing joy to customers.
Meanwhile, artisans at Higashijo Welfare Workshop, located in Hiroshima Prefecture, are diligently crafting traditional items known as 'dorei' (earthenware bells) with designs reflecting the zodiac animal of the year: the snake. Since 1989, these unique creations have become popular among visitors and locals alike, with the workshop anticipating producing around 3,500 pieces this year. Kazuhiro Kawakami, one of the workshop's artisans, shared, "Despite the economic struggles, we hope for smiles across Japan for the New Year, wishing everyone prosperity akin to the snake's symbolism." These handcrafted bells, known as 'Higashijo Dorei,' possess distinctively gentle tones, making them just as charming as their visual designs.
While much of the attention is on sweets, other preparatory activities are occurring at Gokoku Shrine (Gokoku Jinja) in Niigata. For the past 16 years, students from the Niigata Design Institute have collaborated on creating massive 'ema' (votive tablets) depicting the year's zodiac sign. This year, the students spent three days preparing two stunning ema featuring two facing white snakes, standing at 2.7 meters tall and 5.4 meters wide. "Carefully crafting each scale leads to a powerful representation of the zodiac, making this ema impressive," shared Shin'in Negishi, one of the first-year students involved.
At the shrine, the message imprinted on the ema reflects both aspiration and belief: "If you do good actions, you will eventually receive good outcomes." Masahiko Kimura, the shrine's chief priest, added, "The white snake and gold snake depicted here bring great auspiciousness, so we wish happiness for all our visitors. Each year, these ema attract many worshipers and showcase the rich interplay of local traditions, art, and the celebration of good fortune.”
The significance of such edible and decorative arts during New Year celebrations forms part of Japan's enduring cultural heritage. With the holiday fast approaching, the preparation for seasonal sweets reflects both artistic skill and heartfelt hopes among producers and consumers alike.
This blending of creativity, tradition, and the communal spirit of celebration highlights the importance of Wagashi during Japan's New Year festivities. Whether through confectionery, traditional crafts, or decorative emblems of good luck, artisans are embracing the opportunity to share their dedication and artistry, culminating each year in beautifully crafted reflections of hope and prosperity.
