Mochitsuki literally means “pounding mochi”. At MVBT it’s much more than that. It’s the gathering of the Sangha in December to pound over 2000 pounds of sweet glutinous rice into mochi. We pound it in early December in anticipation of the New Year.
We pound by hand and we pound by machine. We form komochi and okasane by hand, and then package and distribute the mochi to families and friends in anticipation of the New Year. Over the years, it’s not only the making of mochi that is important, it is a favorite Sangha activity where we come together to work, laugh, and enjoy our community.