Japan’s traditional rice cake-making activity originated from rice-growing areas in southern China and Southeast Asia. It was introduced to Japan during the Yayoi period and has a history of more than 2,000 years.

The tools for making rice cakes are mortars and wooden hammers. At least two people are needed to make rice cakes. One person beats the rice cakes with a wooden hammer, and the other person turns the rice cakes by hand. It can also be done by three people, two people beat it, and one person turn.