Rakugan

Dried Starch Cake Mixed with Sugar and Water Candy

When August enters its middle period, supermarkets in Japan start setting up dedicated spaces to stack Rakugan packages. As an indispensable item to celebrate Obon (the Buddhist festival to honour your passed family members), elaborate, colourful products will decorate people’s home altars during the season together with other offerings. Why particularly at Obon? Some say the Buddha’s disciples gave other monks this sweet on the occasion of Ullambana (the origin of Obon). No wonder many pieces have the shape of a lotus flower, a symbol of Buddhism in Japan. After seeing off our ancestors who had returned home (I mean their spirits, not ghosts, of course!) on the 16th of the month, it’s time for our tasting. Nibbling a piece and savouring mild, starchy sweetness on the palate is a moment of thinking of our late loved ones.

A Rakugan package available at a store.

Rakugan pieces on a plate.

A Rakugan package available at a store. Rakugan pieces on a plate.