🍱 Kushi-dango

It is said that dumplings originated from a Tang Dynasty dessert called "Danki," which was brought to Japan during the Heian period (794-1185). Dumplings are made by shaping rice flour into balls and then boiling them. "Kushi-dango", which are dumplings skewered and grilled, date back to the Muromachi period (1333-1568). As common people began to travel in the Edo period (1603-1867), stores selling skewered dumplings were also emerged, including tea stores and stores within the precincts of shrines and temples. In Tokyo, the "Dango" shop in front of the Taishakuten Temple in Shibamata became famous through the film "Tora-san." The phrase "Hanayori Dango" became popular, indicating that people preferred "Dango" over flowers. The popularity of "Dango" spread nationwide, particularly the "Kushi-dango" consisting of five pieces on a skewer, which is said to have originated in Kyoto. Even in Tokyo during the Edo period (1603-1867), "Kushi-dango" were usually sold with five pieces, each for 5 "mon" (an old Japanese currency) per skewer. Since the introduction of the 4-mon coin into circulation, the number of customers who left behind their 4-mon coin and took their "Dango" away during busy times increased, causing problems for the shop owners. In a desperate measure, the number of "Dango" per skewer was reduced from five to four, thus giving rise to the four-piece "Kushi-dango" as a solution to this issue. This historical record remains. Even today, "Kushi-dango" typically consists of four pieces in the Kanto region and five pieces in the Kansai region.