🍱 Zouni

Mie Prefecture is a unique region in Japan where the cultures of the east and west are in chaos. Walls such as the Ibuki and Suzuka mountain ranges and three check points protecting the Kinai region, blocked the flow of eastern simplified culture to the west. As a result, the eastern culture headed south and rapidly influenced the Ise Plain. Eastern culture was brought to the East Kishu region from the sea routes during the age of sailing ships. During the “Ritsuryo” period, Mie Prefecture was divided into four provinces due to differences in climate, but then the cultures of the East and West merged and took root in the prefecture. On the other hand, ancient cultures also remained in the Shima Province and the remote islands in Ise Bay due to the relationship with the “Ise Jingu” Shrine, which has a 2,000-year tradition. Such complexity was passed down in “Zouni” as a mixture of ancient and modern, East and West cultures. As far as “Zouni” is concerned, the transmission of food culture can be seen in the shape of the rice cake. Originally, round Rice cakes produced by the court noble culture spread to the Mie Prefecture region. Later, square rice cakes from the east, produced by a simplified samurai culture, spread rapidly to the west, but were blocked by the Ibuki and Suzuka mountain ranges and moved southward, entering Mie Prefecture, making this area a mixture of round and square rice cakes. In addition, hot water boiled Rice cakes, water boiled Rice cakes, and baked Rice cakes can be found in the prefecture, depending on the region. There is also a "Kin Gin Mochi" (gold and silver rice cakes) made of millet and white rice cakes. Although it has disappeared now, until the early“ Showa ”period (1926-1989), the“ Azuki” bean soup culture of the New Year without Rice cake was also passed down in remote islands. As a remnant of the“ Azuki” bean soup culture, the custom of eating boiled rice cakes with “Azuki ”bean paste still remains in some households.