Breaking the "Kagami mochi" for "Kagami Biraki"

Today, and January 11th annually, is Kagami Biraki. Kagami Biraki 鏡開き, which literally means 'breaking the mirror', is the Japanese New Year tradition of breaking the Kagami Mochi. Kagami Mochi 鏡餅, pictured below, is a Japanese New Year decoration. It literally means 'mirror rice cake'. A pair are displayed in a home during the New Year period.

Kagami Biraki

Kagami Biraki is the ceremony performed to open the Kagami mochi. It is done by hand or with a hammer, but never a knife. A knife is considered bad luck. In olden days, real mochi was used. When the kagami mochi was performed the bits of mochi were shared among families. Nowadays, the kagami mochi are often made from plastic. The manufacturers put dozens of individually wrapped mochi, pictured below, in the ornament instead. Breaking the ornamental plastic covering reveals the mochi inside. That mochi is then shared among family members and eaten for good luck and health in the New Year.

In the lead up to New Year Kagami Biraki is widely available for purchase in supermarkets. However, Kagami Biraki is not only carried out at New Years. It is often performed at other events during the year, such as weddings or housewarmings, because it represents new beginnings.

Do you display a Kagami Mochi? Did you perform Kagami Biraki today? Or eat mochi for good health this year?