11 Comments
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Stewart Dorward's avatar

Thank you for all this lovely detail - we made this is my Japanese cooking class earlier this month with kuzu powder !

Spiritual Japan Journal's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. You made it yourself! That sounds wonderful.

I would love to try making minazuki myself someday too, but I haven’t had the chance yet.

Stewart Dorward's avatar

Not quite like a shop one

Nithya Sridharan's avatar

This is interesting. In certain South Indian cultures, there is a similar 'purification' ritual. It is called Vaikunta Ekadashi, where people pass through a gate and 'get rid of their sins'.

Spiritual Japan Journal's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I didn’t know about Vaikunta Ekadashi, but it is very interesting that there is also a ritual of passing through a gate for purification.

It is fascinating to see how different cultures have similar ways of marking a spiritual reset or a new beginning.

Curious Ordinary's avatar

Thanks for this article. I really love this mid-year ritual and even though I am not in Japan, I try to do something similar. I had not seen the minazuki wagashi before. Because I have celiac disease I can't eat anything made with wheat flour, but I found a recipe online for a gluten free version which I might try one day. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge, I really appreciate it.

Spiritual Japan Journal's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m very touched to hear that you try to do something similar even outside Japan. I hope the second half of the year will be filled with happiness for you. Since living with celiac disease must require daily care, please take good care of yourself.

Thank you for reading and for receiving this tradition with such care.

Paying Attention by Kamsin's avatar

I like the idea of a purification ritual to mark the end of June and the tranistion into the summer months.

Spiritual Japan Journal's avatar

Thank you for your comment. Japan has many rituals and festivals like this, and I plan to introduce more of them in future posts.

Ed Wey's avatar

I appreciate a shrine where people can share thoughts and moments with their pets. Thank you for sharing.

Spiritual Japan Journal's avatar

Thank you for your kind comment. The shrine also had amulets for pets, including dogs and cats, which I found very lovely.