Mochi
Mochi are rice cakes which can be smothered in soy flour (kinako) or with grated daikon (a giant radish). It can be dipped in soy sauce and baked.
Rice cakes are important as more than just a type of food. Mochi is thought to impart strength, so at weddings red and white mochi is often served as a symbol of the strength the bride will need if she is to have many children. Women are urged to eat mochi after birth to help in a speedy recovery. It is traditionally eaten on the hottest day of the year.
The traditional Japanese New Year's decoration is kagami-mochi, which is a snowman-like stack of round mochi made in the image of the sun. At meals Japanese will say "itadakimasu" before the meal starts. This has an origin in ancient Japanese history. They believed that the rice goddess was present in each grain of rice, and she was the one who controlled the harvest. Thus, "itadakimasu" ("I humbly partake") is meant to show respect and gratitude to the rice goddess for allowing herself to be eaten.
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