〇【Tea utensils/tea ceremony tools, incense holder, Hinamatsuri】 Hishimochi (rice cake) by Shoami Takano

●What is Hishi-mochi? In ancient China, there was a custom of eating rice cakes filled with gogyo (a sacred shape of a sacred plant) on the Jōshi-setsu (an event held on the first snake day in March to ward off evil spirits), and this custom was brought to Japan.
However, using mother and child grass was disliked as it was thought to be bad luck to pound a mother and child into mochi, so mugwort came to be used instead.
Since ancient times, it has been believed that strong scents have the power to ward off evil spirits.
The diamond shape was adopted in the early Edo period.
At the time, it was only available in two colors: green and white, combining the green of mugwort mochi with white mochi filled with diamond seeds.
It appears that it had three or five levels.
Hishimochi is made from diamond seed powder and is said to bring prosperity to descendants and longevity.
There are various theories about the diamond shape, including that it was created to resemble a diamond seed, that it represents the shape of a heart, or that the extended square shape is a prayer for longevity.
In the Meiji period, a red color made from gardenia berries was added, making a total of three colors.
Red has long been an indispensable color for warding off evil spirits, and is also associated with the auspicious color of peach blossoms.

There are various theories about the meaning of the three colors of Hishimochi, but they can be summarized as follows:
・Red: Contains gardenia fruit / warding off evil / detoxifying effect / inspired by peach blossoms
・White: Contains diamond seeds / represents prosperity of descendants, longevity, lowering blood pressure, purity, and pure white snow
・Green: Contains mugwort/warding off evil/increasing blood flow/health, representing fresh greenery

Also, depending on the order in which these three colors are layered, the following spring scenes are expressed.
From the bottom up, the colors are green, white, and red: "Under the snow, new buds (mugwort) are sprouting and peach blossoms are blooming."
・From the bottom, in the order of white, green, and red, "New buds (mugwort) sprout from the snow and peach blossoms bloom."

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Size: Approx. W9.5 x D6 x H3.7cm
Author: Shoami Takano
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[First generation Shoami]
He became a disciple of Shibata Nyoami in Gojo, and at the age of 28, he became independent in Imakumano and received the title Shoami from his master.
[Second generation: Shoami Takano]
1930: First generation Shoami founded
Born in Kyoto in 1941
Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts in 1966
Learned the trade under his teacher, the first Shoami
In 1993, the second generation
Currently in production at Obaku Tosho Shoami Studio in Higashiyama, Japan.
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Box: Wooden box