π‘MOREISH MITARASHIπ
Today is the beginning of a three-day period celebrating mitarashi dango (γΏγγγε£ε)!π
Actually, this happens every month from the 3rd-5thγbecause...
3= 'MI' (γΏ)
4= 'taraSHI' (γγγ)
5= 'danGO' (γ γγ)
Tenuous wordplay? Yes.
Fun? Also, yes.
In its traditional form, mitarashi dango is made up of 5 small rice dumplings...skewered, grilled, and served with a sweet soy sauce glaze.
Legend has it that the inspiration for the snack came from a miraculous incident involving Emperor Go-Daigo (εΎιι倩η 1288-1339).
During one of Go-Daigo's outings to Shimogamo-jinja, 5 bubbles appeared in the water as he purified his hands.
Interpreted as the human body (δΊδ½-head, arms and legs), it was taken as a fortuitous sign.
The emperor offered 5 rice dumplings (4 big and 1 small) to the shrine gods.
What we know as mitarashi dango originated at the Kamo Mitarashi Chaya 'Tea House' (ε θγΏγγγθΆε±), situated to the west of the shrine grounds.
It became tradition at Shimogamo-jinja to symbolically offer dumplings to the gods before eating them for luck.
The Kamo Mitarashi Chaya (ε θγΏγγγθΆε±) was established in 1922, and it's astonishing to think that mitarashi dango are only 103 years old.
The shop highlights the inspiration for the dango by serving one slightly apart (just how Emperor Go-Daigo saw the bubbles).
Nao-san often plans her trips with sweets and snacks in mind, and her visit to Ishiyama-dera was no exception.
A small store beside the temple specializes in fried mitarashi dango (ζγγΏγγγ 'age mitarashi'), available in a variety of different flavours.
#ζγγΏγγγ #Japan
It's fairly unusual to find a fried version of this particular snack, and it was a big hit with Nao-sanπ
#dango #mitarashidango #ε£ε #γΏγγγγ γγ #ζγγΏγγγ #ζ»θ³η #η³ε±±ε―Ί
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