Musha
Fukuyama-no-yuki
「深山の雪」
Fukayama-no-yuki （深山の雪）is one of the most delicate sweets used and has been used for years for special celebrations and events in the tea society.
Introduction
There are many special sweets served depending on the tea event. One of them is Kyoto-Tsuruya’s (a wagashi shop in Kyoto) “Fukayama-no-yuki,” one of the sweets served on such occasions.
This sweet is made from yellow sweet red bean paste wrapped in a special green rice cake and sprinkled in a thin layer of white rice cake to create a unique design. Each color represents something special: yellow represents a pine tree, green represents pine leaves, and white represents the snow. All of this was thought out over 30 years to highlight the beauty of the seasons in Japan.
Guests arrive at the ceremony at different times and mood depending on the person. In order for the guests to have the best experience during the ceremony, the sweet has been made larger than traditional Japanese sweets so that the guests can choose how much they would want to eat. They are also allowed to bring portions home to eat if there are leftovers.
The name "Fukayama-no-yuki
“Fukayama no yuki” was bestowed its name from a Japanese imperial poem during the Heian period (10th century). The lyrics depict the juxtaposition between the tranquil rural mountainous villages and the restless city during the New Year. This juxtaposition emphasizes the shock that people have when going out to the city, but also the jealousy they encounter. The city already captures early spring, whereas the village remains in winter, and it can be seen as if it correlates to the “snow” and “pine” that are portrayed in the sweet.