[Yokan]
"羊羹 (yokan)" is written "羊 (sheep)" and "羹 (atsumono)" and means "red bean jelly." Since it is a Japanese confectionery that uses red bean paste, one would think that it was born in Japan, but it has its roots in China. It seems to have been one of the "dim sum" introduced by Zen Buddhist monks who studied in China during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
"Dim sum" was a small snack eaten between meals at a time when people generally ate two meals a day. Among the many types of dim sum, manju and yokan later became Japan's representative wagashi. Since today's Chinese mantou (steamed buns) do not contain red bean paste, it was assumed that manju was also made without red bean paste when it was first introduced to Japan. Yokan was also made of jellied sheep's meat, in other words, a soup. The dim sum also included boar kan, shrimp kan, and fish kan. When it was introduced to Japan, it was initially similar to the Chinese version, but Zen monks, who were forbidden to eat meat, made various types of jellies from vegetable ingredients such as azuki beans and wheat flour as vegetarian food.
In the Sengoku period (1467-1568), Onari, a ceremony in which a lord visited the residence of his subjects to receive their hospitality, became very popular. It is said that the yokan was gradually transformed into yokan as a confectionery. In the late Edo period (1603-1867), yokan as a dish disappeared and it began to spread as a confectionery. Then, the 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, encouraged the domestic production of sugar, which had been dependent on imports. As a result, sugar production areas and production increased, prices dropped and yokan as a sweet confectionery became more familiar. Thank you, Mr. Tokugawa! Yes, it is.
Right now, "Free Research with Wagashi" is being held at Toraya Tokyo Midtown Store Gallery in Roppongi. This project is a collection of topics related to wagashi for each school subject, where you can find hints for your research on wagashi. I realized that yokan is also suitable as a future of softened nursing food and as an emergency food because it lasts for a long time. My challenge was arts and crafts! The pattern and naming of the yokan. Draw a crane pattern with azuki beans on white bean paste and leave it to the artisan to bring out the purple color. I want it to be used for festive occasions, so the confectionery brand is "Tsuru no Mai" (Dance of Cranes)! Chuckles. It took quite a long time, and unexpectedly, even the adults had a good time. The hot days are still continuing, but let's all keep cool and be creative.
Toraya Tokyo Midtown Gallery
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H6mitTtCXy1Zy7KZA
Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html
References
https://www.toraya-group.co.jp/news/20230614
https://shun-gate.com/power/power_89/#:~:text=日本に羊羹が伝わっ,も含まれていた%E3%80%82
https://washoku2023.exhibit.jp/outline.html
特別展「和食 ～日本の自然、人々の知恵～」公式ガイドブック
