SAN FRANCISCO — The tradition continues as the 44th annual CJAS/JANL Mochitsuki is held on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Christ United Presbyterian Church, 1700 Sutter St. (at Laguna) in San Francisco Japantown.
The event starts at 11 a.m. and continues until the final mochi is formed around 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with preparations from 9 a.m.
The Japanese American National Library is carrying on the tradition established by the Center for Japanese American Studies. Mochigome (rice) is donated by George Okamoto of Nomura and Co.
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.
Unlike many mochitsuki events, this one is done the old-fashioned way — pounding by hand.
“Issei did it, Nisei did it, and Sansei do it,” organizers said. “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 hooked.”
For more information, call Karl Matsushita at (415) 567-5006.