Izumo Zenzai (Izumo Sweet Red Bean Soup with Mochi)
Izumo Zenzai (Izumo Sweet Red Bean Soup with Mochi)
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Izumo zenzai is a sweet from the Izumo region made by adding mochi (rice cakes) or shiratama dumplings to a soup of azuki beans simmered with sugar. Based on a theory that jinzai mochi, served at the Kamiari-sai festival in the tenth month of the old lunar calendar, changed in pronunciation to become 'zenzai,' the Izumo region is called the birthplace of zenzai. A topography of the Matsue domain from the Edo period also records a custom of simmering white mochi with azuki beans and eating it on festival days. In front of Izumo Taisha there are shops serving zenzai with red and white shiratama or mochi, and there are also items tied to the area's reputation for enmusubi (matchmaking), such as enmusubi zenzai with grilled mochi. Zenzai in pouches and wagashi (Japanese confections) made using zenzai are also produced, and they are popular as souvenirs of a visit to Izumo Taisha.
Origin
The tenth month of the old lunar calendar is when the gods from all over Japan are said to gather in Izumo, and in Izumo it is called Kamiarizuki (the month when the gods gather). Jinzai mochi was served at the Kamiari-sai festival held during this period. It is said that 'jinzai' changed in the Izumo dialect to 'zunzai' and then to 'zenzai,' and spread to Kyoto. Another theory holds that the name came from the Zen master Ikkyu, who ate this soup and said '善哉' (yoki kana, 'how excellent').
History
In 『雲陽誌』, a topography of the Matsue domain, the entry for 佐陀大社 (today's 佐太神社 shrine) records that on festival days the villagers simmered white mochi with azuki beans and ate it in every household, calling it jinzai mochi. Based on this and other records, 佐太神社 is said to be the birthplace of zenzai. In 2007 (Heisei 19), 出雲ぜんざい学会 (Izumo Zenzai Society), whose secretariat is located within 出雲観光協会 (Izumo Tourism Association), designated October 31 as 'Izumo Zenzai Day.'
Features
It is made by adding mochi or shiratama dumplings to a soup of azuki beans, such as dainagon azuki, simmered with sugar. At shops in front of Izumo Taisha, versions with red and white shiratama or mochi for good luck are commonly seen. Each shop has its own creative variations, such as enmusubi zenzai with grilled mochi, chilled zenzai, and matcha zenzai. Some shops use local ingredients, such as glutinous rice from Okuizumo and moshio (seaweed salt) from the Usagi district north of Izumo Taisha.
Main Ingredients
Food Culture
In the Izumo region, the New Year zoni has also traditionally been Azuki Zoni, with mochi in azuki soup. This deep-rooted food culture of combining azuki and mochi is also introduced together with the legend of jinzai mochi. October 31, 'Izumo Zenzai Day,' comes from a pun that reads '1031,' written 千三十一 (one thousand thirty-one), as 'zenzai,' and it is certified and registered by 日本記念日協会 (Japan Anniversary Association).
Famous Shops
おつまみ研究所大社門前ラボ & 日本ぜんざい学会壱号店
島根県出雲市大社町杵築南836-2
A shop for zenzai and otsumami (snacks to go with drinks) in front of Izumo Taisha. A 2024 tourism information site introduced Izumo zenzai with handmade red and white shiratama at 660 yen and enmusubi zenzai with grilled mochi at 770 yen. Chilled zenzai is also available.
View details →坂根屋 大社店 出雲ぜんざい餅
島根県出雲市大社町杵築南840-1
A teahouse run by the wagashi shop 坂根屋, founded in Meiji 5 (1872), in ご縁横丁 (a shopping lane) in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha. A 2024 tourism information site introduced Izumo zenzai at 650 yen and matcha zenzai at 800 yen. Takeout is also available.
View details →| 坂根屋「出雲ぜんざい」「出雲ぜんざい餅」 | 坂根屋's Izumo zenzai comes in pouch packaging and is said to be suitable as a souvenir or as hikidemono (return gifts for guests at weddings and other celebrations). 出雲ぜんざい餅 is a wagashi in the style of grilled mochi, made with the same ingredients as Izumo zenzai. Easy to carry, it is popular as a souvenir from the area in front of Izumo Taisha. Mail order is also available.Where to buy →PR |
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FAQ
Q. Is it different from Tottori's Azuki Zoni?
A. The ingredients are very similar. Azuki Zoni refers to a zoni eaten at New Year, made by putting round mochi in azuki soup, and it has been handed down in Tottori Prefecture and the Izumo region. Izumo zenzai is a sweet associated with the legend of jinzai mochi, and it can be enjoyed at places such as the shops in front of Izumo Taisha.