Shiratama Day

What Is Shiratama Day?

August 8th is "Shiratama Day" in Japan, celebrating shiratama dango, a traditional Japanese sweet made from rice flour. The date comes from the fact that stacking two "八" (eight) characters forms the kanji for "rice" (米). It was established by the National Federation of Grain Industry Cooperatives to encourage people to reconsider grains through this simple ingredient.

The Curious Kanji Trick: Two "Eights" Make "Rice"

Shiratama is made by kneading shiratama flour (processed from glutinous rice) with water, rolling it into balls, and boiling them -- a staple ingredient in traditional Japanese sweets.

• Origin: a holiday inspired by the structure of the kanji character itself -- stack two "八" characters and you get "米" (rice)
• Purpose: to encourage reconsidering the consumption of rice and other grains, and to spread appreciation for the simple appeal of shiratama
• Ways to enjoy it: pairs beautifully with summer sweets like anmitsu, shiratama zenzai, and fruit punch

The Secret Behind That Chewy Texture

Shiratama flour is made by soaking glutinous rice in water before drying it, giving it a chewier texture than joshinko (flour made from non-glutinous rice). Its compatibility with cold desserts makes it especially popular in summer.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Make shiratama dango at home using shiratama flour
• Enjoy a cold sweet featuring shiratama, like anmitsu or fruit punch
• Learn together with your kids about how two "eight" characters form the character for "rice"
• Take a moment to reflect on your consumption of rice and other grains

Two "Eights" Come Together in Gratitude for Rice

Born from a simple discovery about how a kanji character is built, this holiday is a reminder to appreciate the rice we eat so casually every day. Why not savor some chewy shiratama on August 8th and reflect on the blessings of rice?