In compliance with everybody’s wish at the temporary housing, the Yuai Salon held a lively “Mochi Pounding Party.”
There were smiles everywhere; in the meeting hall, around the mortar and in the kitchen.
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| ▲“Yoisho! Yoisho!” Cheering on the mochi pounding comes so naturally. |
At the temporary housing in Onigoe district, Yotsukura-machi, Iwaki City, where the residents from Hirono-machi and Kawauchi-mura evacuated to live, the Yuai Salon Mochi Pounding Party sponsored by Yotsukura Area Senior Citizens’ Club Federation was held on December 20, 2011. ‘Many residents of the temporary housing said, “I want to eat rice cakes!” To meet their demands, the Senior Citizens’ Club prepared about 20kg of glutinous rice. Finally, with the support of many social welfare related groups such as Social Welfare Council of Yotsukura, Iwaki City, and Hirono-machi Local Elderly Care Management Center we were able to hold the party,” said Tadashi Nemoto, Chairman of Yotsukura Area Senior Citizens’ Club Federation. Although a cold north wind blew that day, participants were all smiles around the mortar and also in the assembly hall. The kitchen where they made “anko mochi” (rice cakes covered with red bean paste), “kinako mochi” (rice cakes covered with soybean powder), and “oroshi mochi” (rice cakes covered with grated radish), was full of life.
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| ▲Members of Yotsukura Area Senior Citizens’ Club Federation skillfully make “anko mochi,” “kinako mochi,” and “oroshi mochi.” |
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| ▲Child welfare commissioners of Yotsukura, Iwaki City were in charge of where people steamed glutinous rice. |
“I could not prepare as usual for the New Year’s holidays, so I’m so glad I can have beautiful mochi to eat,” said Kieko Nemoto, a Hirono-machi resident. Toshiyuki Nishiyama and his wife, Yasuko, both of whom are Kawauchi-mura villagers, said, “We could feel the atmosphere of the New Year’s holidays, ahead of time. Thank you so much for bringing mochi all the way for us.” Since mochi just after being pounded is especially nice, the 120 dishes of mochi prepared were devoured in no time.
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| ▲“How soft and tasty the fresh pounded mochi is!” |
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| ▲“We are delighted to see everyone so happy!” Chairman Nemoto smiled. |
”I enjoyed the event which was filled with smiles. I really am delighted. It really is important for our groups related to evacuee support to cooperate in holding such events. By doing so, we can pay attention to the victims more closely,” expressed Eiko Wada, a chief care manager of Yotsukura & Hisanohamaohisa Local Elderly Care Management Center. The members of Yotsukura Area Senior Citizens’ Club Federation intend to hold an event early in the New Year where lots of people can get together to have a nice time. Smiling is the source of vitality, so let’s take part in this event to store up energy to make 2012 a good year.”
(interviewed on December 20, 2011.)