🍑MOREISH MITARASHIπŸ˜‹

Today is the beginning of a three-day period celebrating mitarashi dango (γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—ε›£ε­)!πŸŽ‰

Actually, this happens every month from the 3rd-5thγ€€because...
3= 'MI' (み)
4= 'taraSHI' (γŸγ‚‰γ—)
5= 'danGO' (だんご)

Tenuous wordplay? Yes.
Fun? Also, yes.

#Japan #mitarashidango #γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—ε›£ε­ #Kyoto

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 (εΎŒι†ι†ε€©ηš‡ 1288-1339).

#Kyoto #Shimogamojinja #下鴨η₯žη€Ύ

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 (五体-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.

#MitarashiMatsuri #徑手洗η₯­γ‚Š

What we know as mitarashi dango originated at the Kamo Mitarashi Chaya 'Tea House' (εŠ θŒ‚γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—θŒΆε±‹), 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.

#Kyoto #γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—θŒΆε±‹

The Kamo Mitarashi Chaya (εŠ θŒ‚γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—θŒΆε±‹) 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).

#εŠ θŒ‚γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—θŒΆε±‹ #mitarashidango #dango

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 (ζšγ’γΏγŸγ‚‰γ— 'age mitarashi'), available in a variety of different flavours.
#ζšγ’γΏγŸγ‚‰γ— #Japan

It's fairly unusual to find a fried version of this particular snack, and it was a big hit with Nao-sanπŸ˜‹

#dango #mitarashidango #団子 #γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—γ γ‚“γ” #ζšγ’γΏγŸγ‚‰γ— #ζ»‹θ³€ηœŒ #石山寺

Fried dango is certainly not something I knew I needed in my life, but here we are.
Not all sweets need to look like works of artπŸ˜‚πŸ‘

#dango #mitarashidango #団子 #γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—γ γ‚“γ” #ζšγ’γΏγŸγ‚‰γ— #ζ»‹θ³€ηœŒ #石山寺

Ok, last fried dango video I promise.
Clearly it's that time of the afternoon when all I can think about is tea and snacksπŸ˜…

#dango #mitarashidango #団子 #γΏγŸγ‚‰γ—γ γ‚“γ” #ζšγ’γΏγŸγ‚‰γ— #ζ»‹θ³€ηœŒ #石山寺

@camelliakyoto he really missed an opportunity there with putting powder THEN syrup huh?
@arichtman They were so liberal with the powder I think I can let it slide. He was sprinkling away without a care in the world.
@camelliakyoto The best way to plan trips, TBH.