Carrying a 1.8kg of rice cake is one of the highlights of our lil darling's First Birthday.
This is a traditional gift given by Okasan --my mom's mother in law who loves and adores Azumi so much, treats her like her own great grand daughter.
Well here's another interesting Japanese custom which might sound a bit pitiless to celebrate the child's first birthday in Japan.
The celebrant is asked to carry 1.8 kg worth of rice cake or mochi on their back to wish them a happy and long life.
This special rice cake or mochi is traditionally called Issho Mochi ( 一升餅 ), made to be part of the celebration. It's kinda heavy so babies are usually assisted to be able to walk even just a few steps. This also symbolizes the parents’ hope that the child will never go hungry throughout his or her lifetime.
Azumi successfully carried the mochi for few seconds assisted by us. The mochi is round which symbolizes "no trouble". So we are hoping that this practice brings our love child a long life with no troubles.
Anzu carrying her Issho Mochi
This is a traditional gift given by Okasan --my mom's mother in law who loves and adores Azumi so much, treats her like her own great grand daughter.
Well here's another interesting Japanese custom which might sound a bit pitiless to celebrate the child's first birthday in Japan.
The celebrant is asked to carry 1.8 kg worth of rice cake or mochi on their back to wish them a happy and long life.
This special rice cake or mochi is traditionally called Issho Mochi ( 一升餅 ), made to be part of the celebration. It's kinda heavy so babies are usually assisted to be able to walk even just a few steps. This also symbolizes the parents’ hope that the child will never go hungry throughout his or her lifetime.
Azumi successfully carried the mochi for few seconds assisted by us. The mochi is round which symbolizes "no trouble". So we are hoping that this practice brings our love child a long life with no troubles.
Anzu carrying her Issho Mochi
. But of course, she'll always be our baby 
.
