In the early modem period, the real confectionery known as “a rice cake to celebrate Gencho with the Emperor” was saved by Hirawa, who was a Tamba Ayabe samurai. It is called “Genchomochi,” and in the 19th century, during the annual Gencho event at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, it was bestowed by the emperor to Karasumaru’s aristocrats. Through Hirawa’s daughter, who was served it, it was handed down to Mr. Hirawa, who carefully preserved and did not eat the rice cake. It has been used as a medicine to heal both spirit possession and malaria because the “Genchomochi from the Emperor” was believed to contain the holy spirit of the Emperor and the Imperial Palace, and to thereby counteract the evil spirits associated with both. The origin of the confectionery adds a special value. As a result, this confectionery has the potential to have a function beyond that of mere food.
