On July 2, 2026, we held our "July Tsuitachi-mochi Gathering" at Nishi-Kanda Cosmos Hall (small hall) in Chiyoda, Tokyo — the monthly gathering through which Tokiwakai shares Ise's Tsuitachi-mairi custom in Tokyo as well.

July's Mochi: "Sasa Warabi-mochi"

July's tsuitachi-mochi is "sasa warabi-mochi" — bracken-starch mochi wrapped in a bamboo (sasa) leaf. Fitting for the Tanabata season, the fragrance of the leaf and the soft texture of the warabi-mochi bring a touch of coolness just as the real heat of summer begins. It is best enjoyed well chilled.

Tsuitachi-mochi is a confection sold only on the first of each month by Akafuku, the long-established sweet shop along the approach to Ise Jingu in Okage Yokocho. There are eleven kinds in all, from February to December, each changing with the month. Volunteers in Ise buy them at dawn and deliver them all the way to us in Tokyo.

What We Shared

Alongside talks on the mochi and Ise Jingu, we shared many topics surrounding Ise: the Futami Geshi-sai we attended on June 20, news from Kyoto's Gion, and the Hatsuho-biki of the coming autumn Kanname-sai. The second part offered time to mingle, and we enjoyed conversation among all who gathered.

The Rhythm of Ise's Mornings, Month by Month

The monthly Tsuitachi-mairi is Ise's rhythm of life: giving thanks for a month passed safely, and praying for peace in the month to come. To mark that turning point in Tokyo too, around a single sweet — modest as it is, we believe there is meaning in keeping it up.

Tokiwakai is a community based in Ise dedicated to passing on Japanese traditional culture and nurturing younger generations. Please feel free to join us at next month's Tsuitachi-kai.