Japanese New Year
is a Japanese rice cake made of "mochigome", a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called "mochitsuki". While also eaten year-round, "mochi" is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.