Otsukimi
![Otsukimi, assorted candy for moon viewing](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8eaa09_58bb5629531c430f927caf5dd2f3e24d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_770,h_513,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%E3%81%8A%E6%9C%88%E8%A6%8B.jpg)
Moon viewing is traditionally enjoyed during Autumn in Japan, and this box of assorted candies celebrate this event with four different shapes and techniques:
Rabbit
Rabbit is closely associated with the moon due to a local mythology of rabbits pounding mochi on the lunar surface. This rabbit is a rakugan, which is made by mixing sugar with mochi flour and pressing them into a wooden form.
Edamame
A long time ago people would prepare chestnut and beans as offerings to the moon, so we celebrate that by making an edamame shaped candy. This edamame is a mame rakugan, which is similar to rakugan with additional kinako (roasted soy powder) and aonori (dried seaweed).
Bellflower
Called kikyō in Japanese, this is a kohakutō which is made by mixing kanten (seaweed jelly) with sugar, cut into shapes, and then dried for a few days.
Moon
Tsukimi literally means "looking at the moon" and it is a favorite pastime for royalties, scholars, and poets of Kyoto. This is a kizato which is made by boiling sugar with rice flour.
Best-before date: 2 weeks
Availability: September, all stores.
Allergen: egg, soy
About food allergy-labelling system in Japan (outside link)
Ingredients for rabbit shape:
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Sugar
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Kanbaiko (mochi flour)
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Mijinko (mochi flour)
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Sorbitol (sweetener)
Ingredients for edamame shape:
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Sugar
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Kinako (roasted soy powder)
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Mijinko (mochi flour)
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Aonori (dried seaweed)
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Salt
Ingredients for bellflower shape:
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Sugar
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Corn syrup
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Kanten (seaweed jelly)
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Egg
Ingredients for moon shape:
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Sugar
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Kanbaiko (mochi flour)
![Otsukimi candy box](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8eaa09_73d3d37ab5f44f34bf7fd7eee09fc945~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%E8%A9%B0%E5%90%88%E3%81%9B.jpg)