The sweet served to Their Majesties, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita
of Japan.
This soft, mild-tasting baked sweet is made to resemble the KAZUSA MOON,
which shines over the rough sea waters of Kujukuri. Kujukuri is the coastal
region of the central part of Chiba Prefecture, also known as Kazusa. Chiba
Prefecture is just in the east from Tokyo.
KANEKICHI, an Edo period established Japanese Sweets Confectionary Shop
in Ichinomiya Taown, has carried on its traditions of 170 years through
its historical and traditional Wagashi (Japanese sweets), such as the “KAZUSA
MOON”.
Ichinomiya Town is near Mobara City, Chosei Village and Shirako Town.Ichinomiya
Town is also famous as a surfing venue for the Tokyo Olympics 2020
The KAZUSA MOON is covered in cracks. This expresses the moon appearing
beneath the clouds through one of Japan’s traditional expressions of Wabi
and sabi, which are senses of beauty in Japan.
Furthermore, our Wagashi were designated as the Wagashi representative
for our area by the Imperial Household, and we offered the KAZUSA MOON
to the Imperial Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita.
Eating Instructions (How to enjoy to eat)
1. Enjoy the listen of the origin of this sweets and name.
Just hearing about the history of this local treat is fun. As the name
implies, this item is shaped after the moon rising over the Kujukuri seashore.
The name of the town comes from the shrine located in the town called Tamasaki.
It is the number one ranked shrine in the Kazusa region. The main event
of Tamasaki shrine is the “Tsukimi no En” which is a form of worshipping
the moon. When the moon rises all the festival goers listen to the special
worship music.
2. Enjoy the look of the sweets.
There is a slight powdering on the front of the treat which is made to
look like clouds floating across the front of the moon.
3. Simply open the package and eat as it is or you may cut it into smaller
pieces.
4. Enjoy the sweet taste and moist texture of Egg yolk paste melting quickly
in your mouth.
KANEKICHI shop was established during the Edo period and has kept to the
traditional method of making the KAZUSA MOON. It was chosen for a special
offering to be given to the Emperor.
5. Enjoy the sweets with Japanese green tea. Japanese people drink hot
Japanese green tea without sugar when eating Japanese sweets.
There is a traditional tea time in Japan at 10am and 3pm. And the tea is
usually taken with sweets. The ten o'clock tea time has faded away but,
some craftsmen and especially carpenters still do it at that hour in Japan.
If you leave this sweet in a warm place, the surface will become moist.
To avoid this, you recommend storing it in the refrigerator.
In 2008, KAZUSA MOON was recognized as Chosei County’s sweet of choice.
In 2010, KAZUSA MOON was chosen as the sweet of choice to be served to
the Imperial household by the Japanese government.
On September 26, 2010, we had the privilege of serving this sweet to the
Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita as they attended the Japan National
Athletic Meeting, which was held in Chiba Prefecture.