🍡 Kusa-mochi (Mochi mixed with mugwort)
‘Kusa-mochi' is a mochi mixed with mugwort and served at the events from mid March to mid April, when mugwort sprouts and grows. There is a custom to offer ‘Kusa-mochi' to the ‘Hina-kazari' (decoration during the Girl's Festival) during Girl's Festival (also known as Doll's Festival or March Festival) and to enjoy with ‘kinako' (roasted soybean flour), but it was the Girl's Festival in the luna calendar (in early April). Now we celebrate the Girl's Festival on March 3rd, and it is not possible to obtain mugwort at that time. Therefore, people buy ‘Kusa-mochi' at Japanese confectionaries. When the first baby girl was born, the family decorate the Hina Dolls from father's parents or mother's parents to pray for the baby's healthy growth. It is a custom for mothers to go back her parent's home during the festival. Although some families offer red-and-white ‘Hishi-mochi' (diamond-shaped mochi) or ‘Shirozake' (sweet white sake), ‘Kusa-mochi' is a must to offer.