Mochitsuki(Pounding rice cakes) Festival Held at International Student Dormitory Hortensia

On Saturday, January 27, the Motchitsuki festival was held in the courtyard of Nagasaki University International Student Dormitory Hortensia. The event aimed to foster exchange among dormitory students, local residents, and international students.



Scenes during the festival


International Student Dormitory Hortensia is a dormitory for first-year students of the School of Global Humanities and Social Science and international students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dormitory students fumbled to hold this festival, which had not taken place in four years.

Despite initial hesitation, about 100 people gathered in the courtyard, including dormitory students, students from the School of Global Humanities and Social Science, international students from the Nagasaki University International House, community association members, Donguri Club children, parents, and teachers.

Under the guidance of Mr. Kanai, the head of the community association, and Mr. Shirai of the Career Center, dormitory students and children pounded mochi (rice cake) with wooden pestles of different sizes and weights. Afterward, the mochi was rolled into bite-size pieces, and about 1,000 mochis were served, covered with soybean flour, or wrapped in sweet red bean paste.

In addition to pounding mochi, children and adults enjoyed playing tag and Kendama (cup and ball) outside, bringing smiles to their faces. At the end of the event, the participating groups and individuals thanked each other for their participation, and the event ended on a high note.

Dormitory students making mochi

Commemorative photo in the courtyard

Rolling mochis in the assembly room

Dormitory students and children making mochis

Global Humanities and Social Science students and children enjoying Kendama

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