This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

鏡餅

鏡餠

Reading

Kana: かがみもち
Romaji: kagamimochi
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

mirror-shaped mochi, usu. a pair stacked in order of size with a daidai on top, used as a New Year offering, then cut and eaten on January 11.

Kanji

Readings: キョウ、 ケイ、 かがみ
Meanings: mirror, speculum, barrel-head, round rice-cake offering
Readings: ヘイ、 ヒョウ、 もち、 もちい
Meaning: mochi rice cake
Readings: ヘイ、 ヒョウ、 もち、 もちい
Meaning: rice cake