Wagashi, Traditional Japanese Confections

The delicate wagashi are often served with tea. They are made of mochi rice, anko (azuki bean paste) and natural ingredients. Wa refers to Japanese things, and gashi (kashi) means confections. Making wagashi is an art that involves the five senses. The taste and texture are unique. The colours and designs usually represent images from nature. I took these photos in a wagashi-ya in Noda-shi. Every single day they would change the products on their shelves, depending on the temperature, light, seasonal details hardly visible to the common passer-by. The aroma is subtle.