Temari Sushi and Hina Matsuri- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo
Temari sushi are colorful sushi balls popular for Hinamatsuri (March 3rd, Peach Festival), shaped like traditional Japanese handballs.
Hinamatsuri Overview
Hinamatsuri is a Japanese traditional event celebrating girls' healthy growth and happiness, originating from China's ancient Shangsi Festival. Families typically display hina dolls, adorn with peach blossoms, and celebrate together.
Temari Sushi and Hina Matsuri- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo
Charm of Mari Sushi
Vinegared rice is shaped into balls using plastic wrap and wrapped with vibrant ingredients like salmon, tuna, and vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, radishes, etc.), perfectly matching the pink and green theme of Hinamatsuri. They're easy to make with children and serve as a festive alternative to chirashi sushi.
Simple Recipe Example
・Temari Sushi Recipe
Temari sushi is a colorful, bite-sized sushi perfect for Hina Matsuri, easily shaped using plastic wrap. A vegetarian version would be ideal for Tomoko's cooking classes.
・Ingredients (Serves 4, about 12-16 pieces)：
Rice: 2 cups (cooked firm, mix with 3-4 tbsp sushi vinegar and cool)
Fillings: Salmon or tuna (4 slices each, thinly sliced), cucumber-avocado (thinly sliced, salt-rubbed), boiled shrimp (4), shredded omelet (as needed), ikura-tobiko (for topping)
Other: Mayonnaise, pinch of salt
Ingredients for making Temari sushi
・Instructions：
Divide vinegared rice into 30-40g portions and lightly shape with wrap.
On fresh wrap, spread filling (e.g., 1 salmon slice or 5 cucumber flower shapes), place rice on top, wrap tightly and shape into balls (e.g., salmon + avocado with mayo).
Unwrap, arrange on a plate, top with ikura, and serve. Total time: about 30-40 minutes.
Thin omlet- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Temari-sushi-Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
・Tips and Variations
Slice fillings thin and wide for easy wrapping; try veggie-focused (carrots, radish, cucumber) for vibrant colors. Fun to make with kids—perfect for Hina Matsuri parties.
Temari Sushi and Hina Matsuri- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo
Deep Dive into Hinamatsuri
Temari Sushi and Hina Matsuri- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo
Hinamatsuri, on March 3rd, is a traditional event celebrating girls' healthy growth. Also known as Peach Festival, families display hina dolls to celebrate.
・Origin and Meaning
It originates from China's ancient Shangsi Festival, where misfortunes were transferred to paper dolls and floated down rivers in "nagashi-bina." This evolved in Japan, blending with Heian-era doll play to become a prayer for girls' health and safety.
・Main Customs
Display hina dolls and peach blossoms at home, and enjoy auspicious foods like chirashi sushi, clam miso soup, and hina arare sweets. Clams symbolize good marriages as their shells open neatly.
・Display Method and Timing
Display starts from mid-January to mid-February generally; in Kyoto, from Risshun (early February). Some regions follow the lunar calendar, celebrating on April 3rd.
・Regional Events
Hina doll exhibitions are popular nationwide; Saitama's Kounosu "Bikkuri Hina Matsuri" features Japan's tallest pyramid hina platform. Historic town streets showcase Edo-period dolls.
Is There a Celebration for Boys?
Boys' celebration is mainly May 5th's Tango no Sekku (Children's Day), counterpart to girls' Hinamatsuri, praying for healthy growth and success.
・Origin and Meaning
From China's ancient Dragon Boat Festival, with iris baths to ward off evil; it reached Japan and solidified in the Edo era as a samurai-class boys' event. "Shobu" (martial valor) echoes the iris plant's name, wishing for strong growth.
・Main Customs
Display May dolls (helmets or armor), hoist carp streamers outside. Eat kashiwa mochi or chimaki, and take iris baths. Carp streamers symbolize perseverance from the legend of carp climbing waterfalls.
・First Festival Timing
The first May 5th after birth, but April births often shift to the next year. Displays start mid-April.
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