SAN FRANCISCO — The Center for Japanese American Studies and Japanese American National Library will present their 44th annual mochitsuki on Saturday, Dec. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christ United Presbyterian Church, 1700 Sutter St. (at Laguna) in San Francisco Japantown.
The mochigome (special rice for mochi-pounding) is donated by George Okamoto of Nomura & Co. Volunteers will begin preparations at 9 a.m.
As always, everyone is encouraged to participate in the pounding of the rice, shaping of the mochi cakes, and eating and socializing all afternoon. Participants can purchase the mochi to take home.
“Help us recruit mochi pounders — we need all the muscles we can find,” organizers said. “We pound the old-fashioned way — by hand. The Issei did it, Nisei did it, and Sansei do it. We want Yonsei and Gosei to continue the uniquely Japanese American cultural custom. Round up all your young generations of offspring and relatives. Once they see the mochitsuki, they will get hook.”
Some local families participate every year, joined by relatives visiting the Bay Area for the holidays.
For more information, call Karl Matsushita at (415) 567-5006.