Nara's Nakatani-do 'High-Speed Mochi Pounding' Goes Viral on Social Media

The 'high-speed mochi pounding' of Nakatani-do, a well-known tourist attraction in Nara, is currently attracting significant attention on social media. Articles reporting on the 'distress' of the popular shop's owner, as covered by Livedoor News and Toyo Keizai Online, have spread widely, leading many users to discuss the nature of this traditional mochi-making method. Its inclusion in Yahoo! News' trending topics further indicates the high level of public interest. Many posts refer to the high-speed mochi pounding at 'Nakatani-do' in Nara City, with numerous users praising the fresh mochi produced by their expert technique, saying, 'Freshly pounded mochi is the best!'

The Owner's Plea: 'It's Not a Performance'

According to reports, the owner of Nakatani-do is deeply distressed by the perception that his high-speed mochi pounding is merely a street performance or an object of amusement, insisting that it is 'a pure, ancient method for making delicious mochi.' He particularly feels that the simultaneous smartphone photography by foreign tourists is turning this traditional culture into a 'spectacle.' The owner states that high-speed mochi pounding is 'a skill, not an act,' and that he has maintained his conviction for 33 years as a craftsman dedicated to safety and quality. His earnest sentiment, 'I am absolutely not trying to make people laugh,' is also being shared on social media.

The Intersecting Views of Tourists and Craftsmen

On the other hand, SNS users have commented, 'It makes me laugh, but freshly pounded mochi is the best!' 'It's certainly amazing, but it's complicated to call it a performance...' and 'I understand why it looks like a performance, but it's delicious, so it's fine!' It's true that the dynamic nature of high-speed mochi pounding can easily be perceived as entertainment due to its intensity. Some posts even compare it to the comedy duo 'Cool Pokko.' or other 'high-speed [X]' acts, suggesting that spectators, while aware it's a genuine craft, also find enjoyment in its uniqueness. However, many users express empathy for the owner's feelings, saying, 'I might not like being seen as a spectacle...' and 'I think more people are impressed by its brilliance rather than mocking it.'

Traditional Culture's Modern Challenges

The issues facing Nakatani-do's 'high-speed mochi pounding' raise a universal question: how should traditional culture engage with modern society, especially with tourists and media like SNS? This involves the craftsman's pride, caught between popularity and misunderstanding, and the local culture that supports it. It also highlights the intersection of the pursuit of delicious mochi through skill and the reality of that skill becoming a tourist resource. Amidst these converging values, high-speed mochi pounding will undoubtedly continue to be passed down as an important part of Japanese culture.

The Context

Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice. Mochi pounding (mochitsuki) is a traditional ceremony or event where cooked glutinous rice is rhythmically pounded with large wooden mallets (kine) in a mortar (usu) until it becomes a sticky, smooth dough. This process is often performed for special occasions and New Year's, and the freshly made mochi is considered a delicacy. Nakatani-do in Nara is particularly famous for its exceptionally fast and synchronized mochi pounding, performed by two craftsmen working in tandem. This highly dynamic spectacle has become a significant tourist attraction in Nara, a city renowned for its ancient temples and deer. The article discusses the tension between this traditional craft's intrinsic value and its modern perception as a tourist spectacle, especially through the lens of social media and global tourism.