''Katanuki'' ( or ), literally diecutting, is an activity common at
Japanese festivals
Japanese festivals, or , are traditional festive occasions often celebrated with dance and music in Japan. The origin of the word ''matsuri'' is related to the ; there are theories that the word ''matsuri'' is derived from meaning "to wait (for ...
in which a coloured mold of candy made of wheat flour, starch, or sugar, is carved using a needle or toothpick in the shape of an animal, star, a
cherry blossom
The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of trees in ''Prunus'' subgenus '' Cerasus''. ''Sakura'' usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of ''Prunus serrulata'', not trees grown for their fruit (although ...
, etc. Those who are able to skillfully carve the mold receive a prize.
Overview
The official name for ''katanuki'' is , but it is commonly called or simply . Although it is called diecut candy, it is not made for the purpose of eating. The raw materials are indeed foodstuffs, but because it is not distributed as food, and because it is a health hazard to consume and is not particularly appetizing, it is generally not eaten.
''Katanuki'' was once a regular good carried in carts by ''
tekiya
''Tekiya'' ( or ; "peddlers") are itinerant Japanese merchants who, along with the ''bakuto'' ("gamblers"), historically were predecessors to the modern ''yakuza''.
A loose American equivalent of the ''tekiya'' could be seen in carnies.
History ...
'' (peddlers) on ''
ennichi
Ennichi (, "related day") is a day believed to have a special relation ( en) with a particular Japanese deity. Often, it is a day when a deity is believed to have been born or left the world. In Shinto, this day is encouraged to be embraced as it i ...
'' (auspicious Shinto days when festivals are often held), but at present, this is becoming less common. A long time ago, it was a side-show at picture story shows ().
Aside from carts, the molds are sometimes sold at small candy stores, though this is rare.
See also
*
Dalgona
''Dalgona'' () or ''ppopgi'' () is a Korean candy made with melted sugar and baking soda originating from South Korea. It is a popular street snack from the 1960s, and is still eaten as a retro food.
When a pinch of baking soda is mixed into mel ...
, a Korean candy which is used in a similar way.
References
Culture of Japan
{{Japan-festival-stub