Wagashi Day (Japanese Sweets Day)

What Is Wagashi Day?

Every year on June 16th is "Wagashi Day." It commemorates a historical event on June 16, 848, when Emperor Ninmyo offered sweets and mochi based around the number 16 to the gods in a ritual called the "Kajo Ceremony," praying to ward off disease and bring good health. The day was established in 1979 by the All Japan Wagashi Association. It's a day to carry on the traditional Japanese food culture of warding off bad luck and inviting good fortune, while enjoying the comfort that wagashi (Japanese sweets) bring and the changing of the seasons they represent.

Historical Facts Surrounding the "Kajo Ceremony"

Wagashi developed not merely as treats, but in close connection with prayer and ritual.

• The sacred number "16": During the Edo period, the shogunate held a massive event called "Kajo Chodai," distributing as many as 16,000 sweets to daimyo and samurai retainers. The number 16 -- or the number 7, formed by adding 1 and 6 -- was historically and socially revered as a sign of good fortune.
• A wish to ward off illness: In June of the lunar calendar, a hot and humid month when food poisoning and infectious diseases increased, eating nutrient-rich sweets was both a practical and cultural form of survival wisdom -- boosting immunity and easing anxiety.

The Science of Azuki Beans: Nutrition and Color

"Anko" (sweet red bean paste), the star of wagashi, is packed with the plant's own natural defense compounds.

• The antioxidant power of azuki polyphenols: The red skin of azuki beans is rich in polyphenols such as anthocyanins. These compounds, which plants use to protect themselves from UV light, have been shown to remove free radicals in the human body and help with anti-aging and improved circulation.
• Saponins and metabolism: Azuki beans also contain saponins, which support fat metabolism and have a diuretic effect that helps reduce swelling. Eating wagashi during the rainy season, when water tends to accumulate in the body, makes nutritional sense.

Interesting Facts About Wagashi

• The science of a "five-senses art": Wagashi are meant to be enjoyed through sight (shape), taste (flavor), smell (aroma), touch (texture), and hearing (the name, or "mei"). Beautiful presentation and poetic names like "Minazuki" stimulate not just the brain's reward system but also the language centers, scientifically increasing the sense of intellectual satisfaction.
• The secret to "anko's" shelf life: Anko cooked with a high concentration of sugar inhibits microbial growth through osmotic pressure. This is a crystallization of ancestral wisdom that gave it preservative properties even before refrigeration existed.
• A contrast in fat content with Western sweets: Because wagashi rarely use butter or cream, they're extremely low in fat compared to Western confections. In exchange, they're often rich in dietary fiber (from azuki beans, agar, kudzu, etc.), giving many of them a "low glycemic index" that causes a gentler rise in blood sugar.
• The fleeting "season" of wagashi: Some high-end wagashi, called "jo-namagashi," are designed around the 24 micro-seasons of the traditional calendar and are available in stores for only a few days. This "once-in-a-lifetime" beauty can trigger a sense of mindfulness, focusing the brain on the present moment.
• The history of "jo-gashi" and "zo-gashi": In the Edo period, there were "jo-gashi" (high-end sweets supplied to the imperial court and aristocracy) and "zo-gashi" (everyday sweets enjoyed by ordinary people). The blending and development of these two traditions formed the diverse wagashi culture unique to Japan.

Tips for Spending Wagashi Day

• To mark "June 16th, Wagashi Day," choose a "jo-namagashi" on instinct and enjoy it with a cup of green tea. The visual beauty and the power of polyphenols can help relax a brain worn down by the fatigue that peaks in June.
• In the spirit of "Kajo," try sharing 16 small wagashi (or 7, from 1+6) with family or colleagues. Sharing a meal alongside a traditional story can boost a sense of community and contribute to emotional well-being.
• Look into the meaning behind the "name" (mei) of a wagashi. Discovering the connections to literature and nature can turn a simple snack into an "intellectual taste experience."
• Eat seasonal "Minazuki" wagashi. Ahead of the "Nagoshi no Harae" purification ritual at the end of June, the power of azuki beans is said to ward off bad luck. Marking seasonal transitions with rituals like this can help regulate your living rhythm.

A "Jewel You Can Eat" That Captures the Beauty of the Seasons in a Single Bite, Purifying Your Heart and Granting You Elegant Vitality for Tomorrow

June 16th is a day to celebrate your own well-being, just as an emperor once offered prayers long ago. The delicate designs of wagashi and the deep flavor of azuki beans gently and vividly awaken our senses, which can grow numb amid daily noise. Are you feeling worn down by the pursuit of efficiency and numbers in this new fiscal year? Today, turn off your phone notifications and take time to appreciate a beautiful wagashi. That moment of stillness and the gentle sweetness in your mouth will nourish the richness of your sensibilities and give you the power to see the world beautifully once again. Begin a calm and brilliant early summer with these fortune-bringing sweets.