As the final fund-raiser of the year, the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church offers fresh Mochi, An Mochi and, Kasane during this pre-sale event.

Mochi is a rice cake made of short-grain japonica glutinous rice. The rice is pounded into paste (in the church’s case, ground rather than pounded) and hand-molded into the desired shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. Mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.

In addition to regular mochi, the church members and their friends make an mochi, which contains sweet azuki bean paste wrapped in a mochi shell; and kasane, which is for home altar offerings.