Tsunomaki/hishimaki
Tsunomaki is a confectionery made for the Boy’s Festival in May. Rice flour is mixed with mugwort and kneaded, then anko (read azuki bean paste) is added and the mix is wrapped in bamboo leaves, tied with rush and boiled. Hishimaki is also wrapped in bamboo leaves and tied with rush but this time the filling is mochi (glutinous rice) soaked in water and two leaves are used. It’s eaten sprinkled with kinako, i.e. roasted soybean flour.