It's the Higan season. Please enjoy Saitama's specialty, Osekihan.

[804 Musubi] Tsukushi (Kawaguchi) Osekihan

Today is the Autumnal Equinox. It is the middle day of Higan.

Higan is a one-week period centered around the Autumnal and Vernal Equinoxes, a time for visiting graves and expressing gratitude to ancestors.

When it comes to what to eat during Higan, Ohagi and Botamochi are famous. Other examples include sushi, soba, and Osekihan (red bean rice).

This time, I decided to look into one of those: Osekihan.

Why do we eat Osekihan during Higan?

It originates from the custom of offering Ohagi/Botamochi on the first day of Higan (three days before the equinox), Osekihan on the middle day, and Ake-dango on the last day of Higan (three days after the equinox).

That's right.
The Autumnal Equinox, which is the middle day of Higan, is actually also a day to eat Osekihan.

I suddenly feel like I really have to eat some Osekihan!

So, I'm going to go buy some Osekihan.

Tsukushi, a Japanese confectionery shop in Kawaguchi.

There is a large sign for Higan-dango posted at the entrance.

I see.
Dango sounds good too.

Thinking that, I enter the shop.

Found it. Found it.
Perfectly round red bean rice balls!

As expected for the middle day of the equinox.
They are lined up all over the tray.

They must sell a lot of these.

Round red bean rice from the Japanese confectionery shop.
It looks so glossy and delicious.

Well then, time to dig in!

Huh?

Hmm?

Hmm?

It's sweet...

This red bean rice is sweet.

Could it be...

I knew it!

There's a manju inside!

That's right.

Isn't this the Iga Manju, a local dish from northern Saitama?

Some of you might remember it, as it has appeared in this series a few times in the past.

By the way, the Saitama Prefecture website describes Iga Manju as follows.

Iga Manju is a traditional dish from the granary region of northern Saitama. It is a lucky charm that has been made for summer festivals and celebrations, and it is still loved today as a local flavor.


The name is said to come from the fact that its shape, wrapped in red bean rice, resembles a chestnut burr...

This particular Iga Manju has more red bean rice than the ones described on the prefecture's website (in fact, there is more red bean rice than manju), making it truly rice-ball shaped.

Moreover, all the Iga Manju I've encountered so far had white manju inside.
However, this Iga Manju has a light pink manju inside.
It is truly the perfect red-bean-rice-focused type for the equinox.

The chewy texture of the red bean rice and the fluffy texture of the manju.
The red bean rice gently neutralizes the sweetness of the manju's bean paste, making it feel like I could eat any number of them!

I was able to find an Iga Manju that is just right for the equinox.

Thank you for the meal!

If you'd like, please help yourself to more of the Iga Manju from the past!

Of course, since it's like a rice ball, it's barely acceptable.

I found Iga-manju at the Hanyu Service Area!

I found Iga-manju at the Michi-no-Eki Angyo!

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