What comes to mind when you think of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)? Dorayaki? Daifuku? Yokan? They taste sweet and delicious but look quite ordinary. Would you believe that the adorable seals and penguins in the photo are entirely edible? Donning their Christmas hats and winter scarfs, these cute wagashi became a hot topic on the internet.
Wagashi Master, Miyake Masaaki, owner of Japanese confectionery store Beniya Miyake takes up the task of bringing new life and inspiration to the Japanese sweets industry. His concept? “Next generation Japanese sweets” and “edible works of art”.
Let’s have a look at some of his gorgeous creations posted on his Twitter account, @beniyamiyake, and Instagram account, @beniya_miyake.
Three Categories of Wagashi
Wagashi (和菓子) is Japanese traditional sweets usually enjoyed with green tea or matcha. Wagashi can generally be categorized into 3 categories based on their moisture content: 「生菓子」, 「半生菓子」 and 「干菓子」.
「生菓子」, namagashi, are “wet confectionaries” that have a moist texture. Types of namagashi include mochi sweets like daifuku, steamed sweets like manju, yokan, and pastey sweets.
Whereas, 「半生菓子」, hannamagashi, are “half-dry confectionaries” that are normally dry and hard on the outside but soft and wet on the inside, like monaka which has red bean paste sandwich between wafers.
And lastly, 「干菓子」, higashi, are “dry confectionaries. Examples of higashi are konpeito (star candies) and chitoseame.
Writer's Pick
Super Cute New Generation Wagashi
Beniya Miyake is located in Tochigi Prefecture. The Japanese confectionery shop has a long history dating back to the Edo period, even patroned by the Tokugawa Shogun family!
Looking to wash away people’s stereotype of wagashi being old-fashioned and plain looking, store owner and celebrated wagashi craftsman Miyake Masaaki has introduced a line of new generation wagashi that are simply too cute to resist!
Healing Nerikiri ~Parakeet vers.~
These adorable parakeet nerikiri are so adorable I can feel my stress melt away, truly healing!
Valentine Special ~ Pink Nerikiri Set ~
So pink so cute! A gift for someone special? Or a treat for yourself? I’m looking forward to seeing what the Valentine’s design will be for this year.
Cat Walking Path, Auspicious Grouping of Pine, Bamboo and Plum
The combination of pine, bamboo and plum called「松竹梅 shouchikubai」is considered lucky in Japanese. This is a masterfully created 3 layer wagashi made up of yokan, ukishima, and dainagon.
Year of the Rabbit Nerikiri (Carrot Attached!)
No better way to welcome the Year of the Rabbit with rabbit motif Japanese confectionaries!
Derpy Beaked Animals Nerikiri
Goodbye Christmas Cakes, Hello Wagashi
もうすぐクリスマス🎄
— 和菓子職人 三宅 正晃 (@beniyamiyake) December 22, 2022
横たわっているペンギンがお気に入りです🐧 pic.twitter.com/dxf4OZjCA5
Pumpkin Camouflage Animals Nerikiri for Halloween
Beniya Miyake Online Shop
クリスマス気分ですが、今夜20時よりオンラインショップにて迎春上生菓子を販売いたします🎍🍡
— 和菓子職人 三宅 正晃 (@beniyamiyake) December 24, 2022
年内に発送予定です🚚 pic.twitter.com/bhGHotxRY7
Eager to try Beniya Miiyake’s wagashi? You can buy them on their online store which delivers all over Japan. Even if you cannot visit Tochigi prefecture, you can buy a variety of exquisite and adorable Japanese sweets, perfect for gifts! You will surely be surprised by their beautiful appearances.
Wagashi made in Beniya Miyake may be too cute to eat, which simply speaks of the master’s skills. Follow Beniya Miyake’s social media for more photos and updates. Who knows, maybe one day you will be tempted to bite down on a cute kitty nerikiri.
Photos provided courtesy of Beniya Miyake 紅谷三宅 (Twitter, Instagram, Official Website )
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