Although Japanese Americans wanted to be accepted in America, many felt strongly to hold to their Japanese cultural traditions, such as the Obon Festival, Boys Day, Girls Day, and New Year celebrations. New Year's day was especially looked forward to, as it was one of the few days they did not work.

“We used to make mochi every year in the traditional way. We’d stoke a fire, boil water, put the rice on top of the steaming water and cook the rice. My family would all get together on New Years’ Day or New Years’ Eve and make mochi...The first time me and my cousins did it, we singed our eyebrows and eyelashes. ”

~Bill Watanabe

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Making Mochi: A New Year's Tradition circa 1955

Photograph contributed by Bill Watanabe. Names of people: Katsuye Watanabe and unknown friends
Date: Circa 1955
Place: Granada Hills, CA, U.S.A.
Photograph by: Unknown
Photo size: Unknown
Description:
Katsuye Watanabe with family and friends traditionally prepare Mochi for the New Year's celebration circa 1955. © California State University, Northridge 2008
For more information about this project, please contact:
Edith Chen, Professor Asian American Studies Dept.
18111 Nordhoff St., JR 340
Northridge, CA 91330-8251
edith.chen@csun.edu
818-677-4966
Nancy Takayama
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
nt.high.mtn@juno.com