Kagami Biraki (Mochi-Breaking Ceremony)

What Is Kagami Biraki?

January 11th is "Kagami Biraki" (Opening the Mirror) in Japan. On this day, the kagami mochi (round rice cakes) offered to the New Year deity (toshigami-sama) are taken down and eaten in sweet red bean soup (oshiruko), zoni soup and other dishes. The custom expresses gratitude to the gods and a wish for family harmony and good health throughout the year. The date varies by region: in parts of Kyoto it is held on January 4th, and in areas where the New Year decoration period (matsu no uchi) lasts until January 15th, it may be held on January 20th.

A Custom That Spread From Samurai Households

Kagami Biraki is said to have originated as a custom of samurai society that later spread to the general public.

• Gusoku biraki: In Edo-period samurai households, the "gusoku mochi" offered before suits of armor were taken down and eaten in zoni soup, in a celebration of "hatsuka" (blade and hilt). Women are said to have opened the kagami mochi offered at their mirror stands to celebrate "hatsukao" (the first face of the year).
• Avoiding "cut" and "split": Cutting the mochi with a blade evoked seppuku, so it was broken by hand or with a wooden mallet. The words "cut" (kiru) and "split" (waru) were also avoided in favor of the auspicious "open" (hiraku), which suggests expanding good fortune.

Why January 11th?

Kagami Biraki was originally held on January 20th, after Little New Year (January 15th) when matsu no uchi ended. However, because the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, died on the 20th day of the fourth month of 1651, the 20th came to be avoided, and the date was later changed to January 11th. Today, in the Kanto region and elsewhere, it is generally held on January 11th, after matsu no uchi ends on January 7th.

Fun Facts About Kagami Biraki

• Fortune-telling by cracks: In some areas, people tell the year's fortune from how the kagami mochi cracks; it is said that "many cracks mean a good harvest."
• Why "kagami": The name kagami (mirror) mochi is said to come from its round, flat shape, which resembles ancient bronze mirrors.
• The daidai orange: The daidai (bitter orange) placed on top of the kagami mochi carries a wish for the family to prosper for generations ("daidai").
• Kagami Biraki at dojos: Carrying on the samurai tradition, some judo and kendo dojos still hold a Kagami Biraki ceremony at New Year.
• Oshiruko in the Ooku: At Edo Castle, mochi and sweet bean paste packed in lacquered boxes are said to have been sent to the Ooku (the shogun's inner quarters), where they were made into oshiruko.

Ways to Spend Kagami Biraki

• "Open" your kagami mochi with a mallet or by hand instead of a knife (if it is very hard, soaking it in water for a while makes it easier to handle)
• Enjoy the mochi however you like, in oshiruko, zenzai, zoni or as fried rice crackers
• Put away any remaining New Year decorations and return your rooms to normal
• Share oshiruko with coworkers or family and talk about your goals for the year

Kagami Biraki is the day that wraps up the New Year events. Why not enjoy a warm bowl of oshiruko and wish once more for a safe and healthy year?