Kuri Kinton (Sweet Chestnut) Day

What Is Kuri Kinton Day?

September 9th is "Kuri Kinton Day," established by Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture, widely regarded as the birthplace of kuri kinton, a simple sweet made from chestnuts. The date comes from September 9th being Choyo no Sekku (also called the "Chestnut Festival"), a day on which people are said to have had a custom of eating kuri kinton, and September is also when shops across the region begin selling kuri kinton made with the season's first fresh chestnuts.

The Link Between Kuri Kinton and the Chrysanthemum Festival

September 9th is Choyo no Sekku, the Chrysanthemum Festival, built around the doubling of 9, the largest odd digit — long considered an auspicious day for warding off misfortune and praying for longevity. Because the old lunar calendar's 9th day of the 9th month coincided with chestnut harvest season, a custom arose of eating chestnuts to pray for good health, giving rise to this anniversary.

• Ingredients: Nakatsugawa's kuri kinton is a simple wagashi made by adding sugar to cooked or steamed chestnuts, then shaping the mixture by twisting it in a cloth
• Season: it is made and sold from September, when the chestnut harvest begins, until around January of the following year
• Tradition: in front of JR Nakatsugawa Station stands a monument marking the "Birthplace of Kuri Kinton," erected in 2006 by the Nakatsugawa confectioners' association, tourism association, and chamber of commerce. Each September 9th a Shinto ritual is held before it, and in some years kuri kinton is handed out for free

Nakatsugawa, Birthplace of Kuri Kinton

The area around Nakatsugawa is known for its chestnuts, and one theory holds that kuri kinton was served to travelers at Nakatsugawa-juku, a post town on the Nakasendo highway, around the mid-Edo period. Another theory places its birthplace in the town of Yaotsu, also in Gifu Prefecture. Unlike the sticky "kuri kinton" served in New Year's osechi dishes, it has a crumbly texture, and its simple, natural sweetness has won over generations of wagashi lovers.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Order kuri kinton online or enjoy it at a shop
• Learn about the history and culture of chestnut-producing regions like Nakatsugawa
• Enjoy other autumn flavors tied to the Chrysanthemum Festival, like chrysanthemum sake or chestnut rice
• Try making a simple chestnut sweet at home

One Chestnut, Full of Gratitude for Autumn's Bounty

Made by gently mashing steamed chestnuts, kuri kinton is a simple wagashi whose flavor comes entirely from the natural sweetness of its ingredient. Let September 9th be a moment to savor that pure chestnut flavor with gratitude for autumn's harvest.